Katie Pegg, a resident of Markham, Ontario, achieved a personal best in the women’s shot put event on Thursday at her second Para athletics world championships, securing her first medal. Pegg’s final throw of 12.76 meters earned her the bronze medal, surpassing her previous attempt by eight centimeters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. In a field of 10 competitors in the F46 final, the 21-year-old opened with an 11.48-meter throw before settling in for her successful final attempt.
Expressing her excitement, Pegg shared, “I just went out there, threw a heavy ball really far and I had fun. I didn’t put too much pressure on myself.” Pegg credited her hard work and preparation, mentioning that she had achieved a distance of 12.50 meters in training camp, which was instrumental in her performance at the final event.
Pegg’s achievement marked the first field medal for Canada at the championships in India, making her the third Canadian athlete to secure a bronze medal. The gold in the women’s shot put F46 event went to Karomat Omonova of Uzbekistan, setting an Asian record with a throw of 13.07 meters, while Holly Robinson of New Zealand claimed silver with a shot of 12.86 meters, also setting an Oceanic record.
Competing in the F46 category designated for athletes with a single amputation below or above the elbow, Pegg, who was born without a radial bone in her right forearm, is currently pursuing a degree in biology and forensic science at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, now in her fourth year of study.
Pegg’s journey into shot put began at the age of three, later transitioning from elementary school team sports to pursuing football. Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to her track and field season, Pegg returned to shot put during her sophomore year at St. Mary’s, working with coach Jodi Langley to enhance her skills in the sport. Reflecting on her experiences, Pegg emphasized the importance of perseverance and determination in overcoming challenges.
Looking ahead, four Canadian athletes are poised to compete for medals in upcoming events, including Greg Stewart, Addisyn Franceschini, Charlotte Bolton, and Julia Hanes. Additionally, Thursday saw other notable Canadian performances across various events at the Para athletics world championships.
