Two-time Paralympic gold medalist Danielle Dorris secured Canada’s first podium finish at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships by claiming the silver medal in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final in Walnut, California. The native of Moncton, New Brunswick, maintained the lead throughout the race and touched the wall first in a time of 34.42 seconds, just shy of her own S7 world record of 32.99 seconds.
Despite Dorris’s impressive performance, Katie Kubiak of the United States clinched the gold medal with 1,060 points compared to Dorris’s 941 points. Kubiak set a new world record for the S5 category during the morning preliminaries with a time of 37.21 seconds, nearly a full second faster than her previous record. Dorris’s teammate, Mallory Weggemann, secured the bronze medal with 926 points.
The Para Pan Pacific Swimming Championships use a points system to determine winners, considering various impairments of athletes. Dorris expressed her delight in winning Canada’s first medal, stating it was a significant achievement for her. She mentioned her satisfaction with her performance, despite not achieving her desired time.
Dorris, who will celebrate her 24th birthday on September 22, was born with bilateral radial dysplasia, leading to underdeveloped arms. In another event, Dorris contributed to a Canadian record in the mixed 4×100 medley 34-point relay, securing a bronze alongside her teammates with a time of 4 minutes 40.11 seconds.
Sebastian Massabie of Toronto also made Canada proud by earning a bronze medal in the men’s 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final. Massabie, the S4 Olympic champion in the same event in 2024, finished with 837 points, behind Japan’s Eigo Tanaka (977) and Brazil’s Samuel de Oliveira (949). Massabie, who has cerebral palsy affecting his left side, broke multiple Canadian records at the 2024 Paralympic swimming trials.
Nicholas Bennett, with 981 points, secured a silver medal in the men’s 200 freestyle S2-5 category, following Gabriel Bandeira (1,008) from Brazil. Bennett, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at three years old, showcased his talent by winning multiple medals at the 2024 Paralympics and setting Canadian records.
Ken Stroud of Richmond, British Columbia, demonstrated his skill by finishing second in the men’s 100 free S4-6, S8, S10, S12, behind Japan’s Akito Minai. Stroud and his teammates, selected based on their performance at the Canadian trials, displayed their dedication at the Para Pan Pacific Championships.
This edition of the Para Pan Pacific Championships marks a significant step for athletes aiming to compete at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. The event provides valuable experience under similar conditions and represents a crucial milestone for Para swimmers.