Shaw captures second career Paralympic bronze
It was a repeat performance for Para cyclist Keely Shaw in Paris as she claimed bronze in the women’s C4 3,000-metre individual pursuit on Day Two of the Paralympics. Shaw, who hails from Midale, won bronze in the same event in Tokyo 2020.
Racing in the event’s qualifier, Shaw finished third with a time of 3:44.012 seconds to advance to the bronze-medal final, which she won with a time of 3:46.942 seconds.
That brings an end to Shaw’s track cycling events at the Games. She’ll now have a bit of a break before getting back to the action with road events starting Sept. 4.
Goncin, Ostepchuk help Canada to victory
The Canadian men’s wheelchair basketball team netted a win in their first game of the Paralympics, defeating France 83-68.
Canada led 26-20 after the first quarter, but the French were able to battle back and take the lead 41-39 at the halfway point.
Not to be deterred, the Canadian team, with the help of Regina’s Nik Goncin and Garrett Ostepchuk, dominated the second half, outscoring France 44-27 on the way to victory.
Colin Higgins led the Canadian squad with 38 points, while Ostepchuk had six points and Goncin added two points and two rebounds.
Canada will be back in action on Aug. 31, taking on Great Britain at 4:45 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Check out Nik Goncin’s latest blog on Cheeronsask.ca detailing Canada’s journey to the Games and what is expectations for his third Paralympics are.
Wassermann makes Paralympic debut
Para rower Jacob Wassermann of Humboldt competed in his first Paralympics on Day Two of the Games, racing in the men’s PR1 Single Sculls qualifier.
Wasserman finished the event in sixth place in his heat with a time of 11:22.35 seconds and will next compete in the repechage round on Aug. 31 at 2:10 a.m. SK time. In that event, the top two finishers in either of the heats will move on to Final A, while the remaining rowers will compete in Final B.
Ouellette teams up for relay
Saskatoon’s Hannah Ouellette joined forces with three other Canadian Para swimmers to compete in the Mixed 4×50-m Freestyle Relay – 20 points, her second event in Paris.
The team finished tenth overall in their heat with a time of 3:14.93 seconds and did not advance to finals.
This was the first time Canada has ever entered a team for this relay event at a Paralympic Games.
Paralympic Notes: In addition to Shaw’s medal, Para cyclist Alexandre Hayward also captured bronze in the men’s C3 3,000-m Individual Pursuit…Canada’s medal count: 4 (0 gold, 0 silver, 4 bronze).
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Saskatoon’s Ashlyn Renneberg will make her Paralympic debut on Aug. 31 at 2:00 a.m. SK time, competing in the F13 javelin throw.
Jacob Wasserman of Humboldt will get a second shot at advancing to Final A in the men’s PR1 Single Sculls when he competes in the repechage round on Aug. 31 at 2:10 a.m. SK time.
There’s no rest for the Canadian men’s wheelchair basketball team featuring Regina’s Nik Goncin and Garrett Ostepchuk, as the squad competes in their second round robin game against Great Britain on Aug. 31 at 4:45 a.m. SK time.
Following a one-day break, Melfort’s Julie Kozun and the Canadian women’s sitting volleyball team will be back on the court to take on Brazil on Aug. 31 at 12:00 p.m. SK time in their second game of the round robin.