Canada’s first medal at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships was clinched by two-time Paralympic champion Danielle Dorris, who secured silver in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final in Walnut, California. Dorris, a native of Moncton, New Brunswick, led from start to finish, touching the wall first in 34.42 seconds, just shy of her S7 world record of 32.99. However, the gold medal went to Katie Kubiak of the United States with 1,060 points compared to Dorris’s 941. In the morning preliminaries, Kubiak set a new world record for S5 with a time of 37.21. Dorris’s teammate, Mallory Weggemann, took home the bronze with 926 points.
Para Pan Pacs uses a points system to determine winners based on how close a swimmer’s time is to the world record for their specific class. Dorris, who will turn 24 on September 22, was born with bilateral radial dysplasia, a condition resulting in underdeveloped arms.
Dorris, a key member of Canada’s swimming team, expressed her excitement at winning Canada’s first medal and highlighted the significance of her achievement. She also participated in the mixed 4×100 medley 34-point relay, where the Canadian team, including Fernando Lu, Katie Cosgriffe, and Reid Maxwell, secured bronze with a time of 4:40.11, setting a new national record.
In the men’s 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final, Toronto’s Sebastian Massabie claimed the bronze medal with 837 points. Massabie, a previous S4 Olympic champion, faced tough competition from Japan’s Eigo Tanaka and Brazil’s Samuel de Oliveira. Massabie, who has cerebral palsy affecting his left side, broke several records at the 2024 Paralympic trials.
Nicholas Bennett, another Canadian swimmer, earned a silver medal in the men’s 200 freestyle S2-5. Bennett, who has autism spectrum disorder, showcased his talent and determination, finishing behind Gabriel Bandeira of Brazil.
Ken Stroud from Richmond, British Columbia, secured second place in the men’s 100 freestyle S4-6, S8, S10, S12. Stroud’s remarkable performance earned him recognition as part of the Canadian national team for the Para Pan Pacific Championships.
The competition marked the return of the Para Pan Pacs since 2018 and served as a crucial step for athletes preparing for the upcoming 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. The event provides valuable experience and insights for swimmers in similar warm conditions.