On paper, coming back from a long break from the sport and winning three world championship medals is quite an accomplishment. Becoming a Paralympic champion just weeks after breaking a rib is no less so, but according to competitors, it’s a little less so when your name is Brent Lakatos.
Winner of a silver medal in the 400m T53 and a gold medal in the 800m T53, the wheelchair athlete was one of the Canadian stars to shine at the Paris Paralympic Games. A well-deserved success according to two of his opponents met by Sportcom, who were far from surprised to see the Canadian stand out again at his sixth Games.
Lakatos got his 12e and 13e Paralympic medals after taking a break of around 18 months in 2021 and despite an injury suffered this spring, just weeks before the opening ceremony in Paris.
The 44-year-old Dorvalois is dominant in the T53 category and often races against the T54, a category whose athletes have a less severe handicap. No matter who he faces, he always finds himself among the favorites.
PHOTO THOMAS MUKOYA, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Brent Lakatos
Frenchman Pierre Fairbank was making his seventh Paralympic appearance in Paris. He has had the difficult task of measuring himself against Brent Lakatos for 20 years.
“In Rio, we were pretty much at the same level, but he really worked hard by finding a new coach and always looking to improve his equipment,” said the 53-year-old athlete, holder of nine Paralympic medals, when asked about the Quebecer.
“If the category has progressed suddenly, it is a little thanks to Brent and the Thai [Paeyo Pongsakorn]who can often keep up with the speed of the T54s. It’s one or the other. It seems like there are two groups and there are several of us in the second one fighting for third place. It never stops progressing.”
Pongsakorn entered the T53 category in 2015 and quickly set the pace. With three medals in Paris, the Thai representative now has 10 medals in as many Paralympic events.
“Brent had won four silver medals even though he was in great shape in Tokyo. I’m happy for him that he finally won the gold medal. It’s what he’s been waiting for for several years,” added Pierre Fairbank, at the end of the T53 800m in which Brent Lakatos was crowned.
The same tone of voice was heard from American Brian Siemann, bronze medalist in the 400m and 800m T53 in the French capital. He said he was delighted to see the Canadian back on the track, an athlete with whom he fraternizes whenever the opportunity arises.
“Brent is an incredible opponent and he supported me a lot when I started. We often talk before races. Having him by my side constantly pushes me to surpass myself and go faster,” shared the man whose first Paralympic Games were in London in 2012.
“I’ve faced the T53 competitors my entire career, but we’ve all seen the general progression of the category. In a race where the fastest in the world compete, it’s always a real battle.”