Wheelchair athlete Anthony Bouchard clinched the top spot on the eighth day of the World Para Athletics Championships held in New Delhi, India. The 32-year-old Canadian excelled in the men’s 100-meter T52 final, finishing with a time of 16.95 seconds.
Bouchard, the newly crowned world champion, credited his victory to sticking to his race plan and focusing solely on his performance without distractions. He acknowledged the stiff competition and the challenge of maintaining his pace throughout the event.
Earlier in the day, Bouchard set a new season’s best, personal best, and Championships record with a remarkable time of 16.78 seconds, propelling him into the final round.
In a separate event, fellow wheelchair racer Austin Smeenk secured a spot in the men’s 800-meter T34 final with a strong performance, clocking in at 1:41.45. Smeenk, the defending Paralympic champion and current world record holder in the discipline, showcased his skills and experience in navigating the challenging race conditions.
As the World Championships near their conclusion, Canada anticipates further success with seven athletes competing on the final day. The Canadian contingent, boasting six medals (two gold and four bronze), aims to add to its tally with athletes like Sheriauna Haase, Chloe Dunbar, Renee Foessel, Nate Tucker, Liam Stanley, and Marissa Papaconstantinou taking on their respective events. The Canadian athletes are poised to deliver strong performances and uphold the country’s impressive showing at the Championships.
