Nouvelles sportives

Grand’Maison, Huot add to Canadian medal haul at Para-swimming worlds

18 08 2010

Benoit Huot and Valérie Grand’Maison, both of Montreal, added to Canada’s medal haul on Wednesday at the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) world swimming championships for athletes with a disability.

In the men’s 400 freestyle for the S10 category, Andre Brasil of Brazil was the victor in 4:05.95 with Huot second in 4:09.95 and Robert Welbourn of Britain third in 4:13.18. It was Huot’s third medal of the competition. He also took gold in the 200 IM in world record time and silver in the 100 freestyle.

‘’I’m really pleased with the race,’’ said Huot, 26, who improved his personal best by 2.3 seconds. ‘’I was third in this event at the Paralympics (in 2008) and I finished ahead of the guy who was second. Plus I gained about three seconds on Andre. I’m really excited about these performances this week.’’

In the women’s S13 50 freestyle for visually impaired, Kelly Becherer took the gold in 28.00, Iryna Balashova of Ukraine was second in 28.18 and Grand’Maison took third in 28.35 for her fourth podium trip. She has also won silver in the 200 IM, 100 breaststroke and 100 butterfly.

Other Canadian finalists in women’s competition were: Sarah Mehain of Vernon, B.C., fourth in the S7 200 IM and fifth in the 100 backstroke; Brianna Jennett McNeill of Ottawa and Aurelie Rivard of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., fifth and sixth in the S10 400 freestyle; Maxime Valerie Olivier of Montreal seventh in the S2 50 backstroke and Amber Thomas of Drayton Valley, Alta., eighth in the S11 50 freestyle.

The other Canadian men finalists were Donovan Tildesley of Vancouver sixth in the S13 50 freestyle and Michael Heath of Woodstock, Ont., eighth in the S14 100 breaststroke.

Canada is fielding a 31-member team for these championships which run until Saturday.