Wheelchair athlete Anthony Bouchard clinched the top spot on the eighth day of the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India. The 32-year-old Canadian excelled in the men’s 100-meter T52 final, finishing with an impressive time of 16.95 seconds.
Reflecting on his victory, the newly crowned world champion shared, “I stuck to my strategy from this morning. I focused solely on my race without distractions around me.” Bouchard acknowledged the tough competition, stating, “I couldn’t overlook any details. I was aware of my improving speed, but my competitors were also getting faster.”
Earlier in the day, Bouchard set a new season’s best, personal best, and World Para Athletics Championships record with a time of 16.78 seconds in the preliminary rounds. Despite doubts due to challenging conditions such as heat and air pollution, he expressed satisfaction with his performance.
In a separate event, wheelchair racer Austin Smeenk secured a spot in the men’s 800-meter T34 final with a commanding victory in his heat, clocking 1:41.45. Smeenk, the defending Paralympic champion and current world record holder in the discipline, aims to secure another medal at this year’s championships after winning bronze in the men’s 400-meter T34 final earlier in the week.
Looking ahead to the final day of competition, seven Canadians are set to compete, with hopes of adding to the nation’s tally of six medals, including two gold and four bronze. Notable participants include Sheriauna Haase and Chloe Dunbar in the 200-meter semi-finals, and Renee Foessel in the women’s F38 discus final. Nate Tucker and Liam Stanley will feature in the men’s T38 1500-meter final, while Marissa Papaconstantinou will wrap up the day in the women’s 200-meter T64 event, following her bronze win in the 100-meter race earlier in the week.