(Paris) Swimmer Nicholas Bennett won Canada’s first gold medal at the Paris Paralympic Games.
The 20-year-old British Columbian triumphed in the men’s 100-metre breaststroke to win his second medal in Paris.
Bennett had already won silver in the 200-meter freestyle.
He was the only swimmer to achieve a time under 1 minute 4 seconds, with a time of 1:03.98.
PHOTO ANDREW COULDRIDGE, REUTERS
Nicholas Bennett celebrates on the podium.
Australia’s Jake Michel followed in 1:04.27, while Japan’s Naohide Yamaguchi completed the podium with a time of 1:04.94.
Yamaguchi, the world record holder, beat Bennett at last year’s world championships in Manchester, England.
Bennett, who is autistic, is coached by his sister Haley Bennett.
He is the first Canadian swimmer to win gold at the Paralympic Games since Benoît Huot in 2012.
Bennett competes in the S14 category for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Canadian swimmers have won five medals so far in Paris.