The Para-swimming World Championships got under way on Sunday in Madeira, Portugal, and the Canadians managed to get on several podiums during the day.
Posted yesterday at 7:54 p.m.
James Leroux was the first to do so in the 100m breaststroke (SB9) finishing third, 3.43 seconds behind the winner.
“I came here to make a podium and I got it. I’m not necessarily happy with the time, but I’m going to take this podium. I try to win the most medals at the worlds and then the next step will be to win some at the (Paralympic) Games,” he said in an interview with the Canadian Paralympic Committee after his medal.
Italian Stefano Raimondi and German Maurice Wetekam (2.41 seconds) were the only two swimmers to be faster than Leroux in the final. The Quebecer had also edged Raimondi by just over a second during their qualifying heat earlier in the day.
Aurélie Rivard, still going strong
True to form, Aurélie Rivard got off to a strong start to the World Championships by climbing to the top step of the podium in the 50m freestyle (S10). The world record holder in this distance opened the machine at mid-race to get ahead of her pursuers and to win the gold.
“I’m glad the ice is broken. It’s my first major race since the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, so I wasn’t sure what to expect in the pool. It’s been an eventful year and I still managed to defend my world title (won in 2019), ”rejoiced Rivard.
Colombian Maria Paula Barrera Zapata approached 0.58 seconds behind Rivard, while the third step of the podium was occupied by Australian Jasmine Greenwood (+0.72 seconds). Arianna Hunsicker finished sixth in this final, 1.72 seconds behind Rivard.
The one who has won 10 Paralympic Games medals during her career will be back in action on Tuesday at the World Championships in the 400m freestyle event.
Two Quebec women on the podium in the 200m medley (SM7)
The Canadians took the 200m medley (SM7) final by storm as three representatives of the maple leaf raced into the top-5. Among these, Tess Routliffe (+5.47 seconds) and Camille Bérubé (+10.12) reached the podium in second and third place respectively.
These medals were all the more special for Routliffe who has just returned from an injury and for Bérubé who will be retiring after the Commonwealth Games in early August.
“I am super grateful for this medal. We have worked very hard throughout the year, I would have around 800 people to thank, people who have been there for me in the past few months to help and encourage me. I’m very happy,” said Routliffe.
“It’s very exciting to win a first medal at the World Championships, I knew it was a possibility. I’m happy with my race, the time was a bit slow, but what mattered was getting ahead of the other girls,” added Bérubé.
New Brunswick’s Danielle Dorris finished fifth in the final (+11.54 seconds) as the gold went to American Julia Gaffney.
For his part, Philippe Vachon finished fifth in the 400m freestyle final (SB8) 21.40 seconds behind the winner, the Italian Alberto Amodeo. Meanwhile, Alexander Elliot (S10) finished sixth in the 50m freestyle final (+2.16 seconds).
Finally, Clémence Paré saw her working day come to an end in the qualifications for the 50m freestyle (S5), failing to make her way to the final.
We should also note the gold medal of Saskatchewan’s Shelby Newkirk in the 100 m backstroke (S6) with a time of 1 min 20 s.96 s.
The Para-swimming World Championships will continue on Monday as Felix Cowan, Sabrina Duchesne, Alexander Elliot, Arianna Hunsicker and Clémence Paré will be the Quebecers in action in Madeira.