Canada’s first medal at the three-day Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Walnut, California, was claimed by two-time Paralympic champion Danielle Dorris. She secured silver in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final. Dorris led from start to finish, finishing in 34.42 seconds, just shy of her S7 world record of 32.99 seconds.
Despite Dorris touching the wall first, the gold medal went to Katie Kubiak of the United States, who accumulated more points. Kubiak set a new world record for S5 in the morning preliminaries with a time of 37.21 seconds. Dorris’ teammate, Mallory Weggemann, clinched the bronze medal with 926 points.
In the Para Pan Pacs, winners are determined based on a points formula rather than race results. Dorris expressed her joy at winning Canada’s first medal, highlighting the significance of her achievement. She mentioned being content with her performance despite not achieving her desired time.
Dorris, who will turn 24 in September, was born with bilateral radial dysplasia, a condition that affects arm development. She successfully defended her Paralympic title in the 50-meter butterfly event two years ago.
Later in the competition, Dorris contributed to a Canadian record in the mixed 4×100 medley 34-point relay, earning bronze alongside her teammates. This achievement marked her first international relay medal.
Sebastian Massabie from Toronto secured bronze in the men’s 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final, showcasing a strong performance for Canada. He holds multiple Canadian records and has cerebral palsy affecting his left side.
Nicholas Bennett, another Canadian standout, earned silver in the men’s 200 freestyle S2-5 event. His performance was commendable, adding to his previous success at the Paralympics.
The Para Pan Pacific Championships provide valuable experience for athletes like Ken Stroud, who represented Canada in the men’s 100 free S4-6, S8, S10, S12 event. Stroud’s participation is part of Canada’s strong contingent at the competition.
The ongoing event in Walnut, California, serves as a crucial preparation for future competitions, including the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. Canadian swimmer Nicolas-Guy Turbide emphasized the importance of competing in similar conditions to optimize performance.
The Para Pan Pac Swimming Championships represent a significant milestone for para swimmers, offering a platform to showcase their talents and build towards future success.