Press Releases

Dunkerley, Dailey have golden run, but fall short of world record

14 August 2007
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (August 14, 2007) – Ottawa runner Jason Dunkerley and his guide Greg Dailey didn’t quite reach their goal, but they were still golden in the 1500m men’s final at the Parapanamerican Games. The runners clocked in at in 4:08 for first place, but were shy of the world record they were aiming to break.
 
Dunkerley and Dailey were on track to beat the world record over the first three laps, but they petered out on the fourth.
 
“We hit the wall (on the last lap). It’s heartbreaking because you know you’re on pace and you’re going hard. It might have been a little too much to finish off strong,” said Dunkerley.
 
The world record of 4:05:11 was set by Great Britain’s Robert Matthews in 1989. In the Parapanamerican Games 1500m trial yesterday, Dunkerley and Dailey ran the distance in 4:07.93.
 
“It’s a real fine line – a second or two either way – in whether you’re too slow or you’re too fast. Yesterday, we were on the other side of the line. We were a little too slow (in the middle of the race), and today, maybe we were a touch quick,” said Dailey. “It really affected the last straight.”
 
James Shaw, of Newcastle, ON, also earned gold in the men’s F35-38 shot put with throws of 12.31, 12.30 and 12.16. Barry Phelan, of Wingham, ON, earned a third athletics medal for Canada – the silver – in the 200m in the T38 category in 25.77.
 
Jacques Martin, of Sherbrooke QC, finished fifth in the F54-56 category of the men’s discus with throws of 30.15m, 30.63m, 29.25m, 30.81m, 30.92m and 29.58m. William Stanley, of Calgary, AB, was disqualified from the 200m in the T13 category.
 
Here’s how Canada did in the other sports:
 
SWIMMING
 
It was another windfall day for Canada at the pool; its swimming team netted 16 medals on Tuesday – eight gold, three silver and five bronze.
 
Highlights included Benoit Huot, of Montreal, setting a new Parapanamerican Games record of 1:02.88 in the men’s 100m backstroke. It’s also a new Canadian record; The previous best time in this event was 1:04.3. Huot took the gold from fierce rival Andre Esteves, of Brazil.
 
“I was up against Andre once again and every time we race, we push each other,” said Huot. “I wanted to beat him in this race and I did, which I’m very happy about.”
 
Canada also swept the women’s 100m freestyle with Valerie Grand’Maison, of Montreal, QC, taking first in 1:00.32, Chelsey Gotell, of Antigonish, NS, placing second in 1:02.35, and Kirby Cote, of Winnipeg, MB, finishing third in 1:02.46.
 
“The crowd was amazing. I love this country. My main competition is not here, but I always get in the water to compete and race fast,” said Anne Polinario, of Montreal, QC, who finished first in the women’s 100m backstroke in 1:15.77.
 
Also winning gold were Donavan Tildesley, of Vancouver, BC, in the men’s 400m freestyle in 4:46.69; Jacqueline Rennebohm, of Regina, SK, in the 400m freestyle in 5:40.48; Stephanie Dixon, of Victoria, BC, in the women’s 100m backstroke in 1:11.42; Jessica Tuomela, of Waterloo, QC, in the women’s 100m backstroke in 1:32.25; and Brittany Gray, of Barrie, ON, in the women’s 100m butterfly in 1:16.67.
 
POWERLIFTING
 
Sally Thomas, of Ottawa, ON, finished eight in the women’s light weight open. She improved with each lift, moving from 70 kilos on her first to 72.5 kilos on her second and 75 kilos on her third.
 
“She had three good lifts. Sally usually has trouble with her first attempt, but she didn’t this time. Her last two lifts were personal bests,” said powerlifting coach Don Royer. “Today was very encouraging and Beijing is looking like a possibility now.”
 
TABLE TENNIS
 
Stephanie Chan Chim-Hing picked up her second medal of the Games – a silver in the women’s individual in class 8. She lost her first game to Jane Rodrigues, of Brazil, 11-9, 4-11, 7-11, 5-11 but rebounded with three straight wins. She outdid Dina Abreu, of Brazil, 11-5, 11-0, 11-5 in her second game, followed with wins over Giselle Munoz, of Argentina, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 and Irma Martinez, of Mexico, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3.
 
An undefeated Ian Kent, of Eastern Passage, NS, continues play Wednesday for a chance at a medal. He beat Carlos Fasanaro, of Venezuela, Victor Flores, of Mexico and Francisco Melo, of Brazil, on Tuesday.
 
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL – MEN’S
 
Canada beat Venezuela 78-40 on Tuesday, buoyed by the hot hand of team captain Dave Durepos, who shot 100% in the first half, and Adam Lancia who chipped in with 10 points.
 
The score at half time was 40-24 in Canada’s favour, but the Canucks still came out strong in the second half. They played a tight defence, and once again forced numerous turnovers in the second half and netted 15 points from their strong press.
 
In the second half, David Eng, of Montreal, put in 10 points and Lancia 9.
 
Despite the score, Eng said it wasn’t a perfect game. “It may look like an easy game as far as the score is concerned,” he said. “But Team Canada is never satisfied. We look at other things than just the score. We worked on our communication.”
 
He said the team talked a lot more in the game against Venezuela than in their opener against Mexico.
 
“But there were some easy baskets that we didn’t make. But overall there has been a good progression from our first game,” he said.
 
Durepos netted 17 points in the game.
 
He anticipates Wednesday’s game against Brazil will be tough. Brazil scored 35 points in the first quarter against the United States in an exhibition game.
 
 “Our guys have to be prepared for every team and what they bring to us. We are currently ranked number one in the world, and teams always step it up a notch to play us,” said head coach Paul Bowes. “I am proud of the guys for the work they put into their preparation and we will continue to improve for tomorrow’s match against Brazil.”
 
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL – WOMEN’S
 
The United States beat Canada 57-43. The high scorers for Canada was Sabrina Pettinicchi, of Charters Settlement, NB, with 9 points. Loraine Gonzles and Jennifer Ruddell led the United States with 27 points and 20 points respectively.

 

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