Canada’s Danielle Dorris secured a silver medal in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Walnut, California, opening the event with Canada’s first medal. Dorris, a two-time Paralympic champion from Moncton, N.B., led the race from start to finish, clocking in at 34.42 seconds, just shy of her S7 world record of 32.99.
Despite Dorris touching the wall first, the gold medal went to Katie Kubiak of the United States, who accumulated 1,060 points compared to Dorris’s 941. In the morning preliminaries, Kubiak set a new S5 world record with a time of 37.21. Dorris’s teammate, Mallory Weggemann, claimed the bronze with 926 points in the final.
The Para Pan Pacific Swimming Championships use a points system to determine winners, considering athletes with various impairments. Dorris expressed her joy at winning Canada’s first medal, emphasizing the significance of the achievement for her. Dorris, who will turn 24 in September, was born with bilateral radial dysplasia, a condition affecting her arms’ development.
Later in the event, Dorris contributed to a Canadian record in the mixed 4×100 medley 34-point relay, securing a bronze alongside her teammates. The team’s time of 4:40.11 surpassed the previous national record set in 2023. Dorris expressed her excitement at medaling in a relay for the first time and praised her fellow swimmers for their remarkable performance.
In the men’s events, Sebastian Massabie of Toronto claimed the bronze in the 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final, earning 837 points. Massabie, the S4 Olympic champion in 2024, broke multiple Canadian records and a world record during the Paralympic swimming trials. He has cerebral palsy, affecting his left side.
Nicholas Bennett, from Parksville, B.C., secured a silver in the men’s 200 freestyle S2-5, finishing behind Gabriel Bandeira of Brazil. Bennett, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at a young age, showcased impressive performances at the 2024 Paralympics, earning gold and silver medals.
Ken Stroud of Richmond, B.C., finished second in the men’s 100 freestyle S4-6, S8, S10, S12, behind Akito Minai of Japan. Stroud, who earned his place on the Canadian national team through strong performances at the trials, displayed a commendable effort in the competition.
The Para Pan Pacific Swimming Championships serve as a crucial stepping stone towards the upcoming Paralympics, offering athletes valuable experience in competitive conditions. Nicolas-Guy Turbide, one of the Canadian team captains, highlighted the significance of the event in preparing for future competitions.