Canada’s Danielle Dorris clinched the country’s first medal at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships by securing silver in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5-7 final in Walnut, California. Dorris, a two-time Paralympic champion from Moncton, N.B., led throughout the race and finished first in 34.42 seconds, just shy of her own world record of 32.99 seconds in the S7 category.
Although Dorris touched the wall first, the gold medal went to Katie Kubiak of the United States, who scored 1,060 points compared to Dorris’s 941. Kubiak set a new world record in the S5 category during the morning preliminaries with a time of 37.21 seconds. Dorris’s teammate, Mallory Weggemann, claimed the bronze with 926 points.
In the Para Pan Pacific Championships, winners are determined by a points system based on their performance relative to world record standards for their impairment class, rather than finishing position. Dorris expressed her joy at winning Canada’s first medal, emphasizing her satisfaction despite not achieving her desired time.
Dorris, who was born with bilateral radial dysplasia, successfully defended her Paralympic title in the 50 fly event two years ago. She also contributed to a Canadian record-setting performance in the mixed 4×100 medley 34-point relay later in the evening, earning a bronze medal alongside her teammates.
Sebastian Massabie of Toronto secured a bronze medal in the men’s 50 fly S5-7 final with 837 points. Massabie, the S4 Olympic champion in 2024, holds several Canadian records and one world record in Paralympic swimming trials. He competes with cerebral palsy affecting his left side.
Nicholas Bennett earned a silver medal in the men’s 200 freestyle S2-5 event, finishing behind Gabriel Bandeira of Brazil. Bennett, who has autism spectrum disorder, made a mark at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris by winning multiple medals. Ken Stroud of Richmond, B.C., also showcased a strong performance, securing second place in the men’s 100 free S4-6, S8, S10, S12 event.
This edition of the Para Pan Pacific Championships marks a significant step for athletes on the path to the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. The competition in California provides valuable experience under similar conditions, aiding athletes in their preparations for future events.
