Canada’s Danielle Dorris secured the country’s first medal at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships by clinching silver in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final in Walnut, California. Dorris, a Moncton native, led from start to finish, touching the wall in 34.42 seconds, just shy of her S7 world record. Despite her strong performance, American Katie Kubiak claimed the gold with 1,060 points compared to Dorris’s 941.
The event, which features athletes with various impairments, determines winners based on a points system rather than finishing order. Dorris expressed her delight at winning Canada’s first medal, emphasizing the significance of the achievement. Dorris, who was born with bilateral radial dysplasia, will turn 24 on September 22.
In the men’s competition, Toronto’s Sebastian Massabie grabbed bronze in the 50 fly S5-7 final with 837 points. Massabie, who holds multiple Canadian records, finished behind Japan’s Eigo Tanaka and Brazil’s Samuel de Oliveira. Massabie, who has cerebral palsy affecting his left side, previously won the S4 Olympic title in 2024.
Nicholas Bennett secured silver in the men’s 200 freestyle S2-5, finishing behind Brazil’s Gabriel Bandeira. Bennett, who won two gold medals at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, has autism spectrum disorder. Ken Stroud of Richmond, B.C., earned a silver in the men’s 100 free S4-6, S8, S10, S12.
The Para Pan Pacific Championships serve as a crucial stepping stone towards the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. The event provides valuable experience for athletes to compete under similar conditions and prepare for future competitions. Canada’s team captains, including Nicolas-Guy Turbide, highlighted the significance of the championships in their preparation for upcoming events.
