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| The Canadian swimming team collected a whopping 85 medals this week at the 2007 Para Pan American Games. Stephanie Dixon was the most decorated Canadian with eight medals including Saturday?s victory in the 50 freestyle for the S9 disability class. |
RIO ? Canadian swimmers completed a dominating performance Saturday with six more gold medals at the Para Pan American Games for athletes with a disability.
The Canadian swimming team collected a whopping 85 medals this week at the Games: 41 gold ? 26 silver and 18 bronze. That includes six gold, five silver and three bronze on Saturday.
“It?s a good confidence builder heading into next year?s Paralympic Games,” said Canadian national team coach Craig McCord of Vancouver. “This was an opportunity to test themselves in a Games situation and gain experience that should benefit their performances next year. I was especially pleased how the veterans on the team stepped up and led by their performances and the rest of the squad jumped on with them.”
Stephanie Dixon of Victoria was the most decorated Canadian with eight medals including Saturday?s victory in the 50 freestyle for the S9 disability class clocking 30.97 seconds. Darda Geiger of London, Ont., was second at 31.77 and Katarina Roxon of Stephenville, Nfld., completed the Canadian medal sweep in 33.02. Geiger ends the Games with five medals and Roxon four.
Anne Polinario of Montreal won the S10 disability 50 freestyle in 28.49 with Jessica Hodgins of Tecumseh, Ont., third in 32.66. It was a fifth medal for both Canadians including a fourth gold for Polinario.
Chelsey Gotell notched her fifth medal with a victory in the 100 backstroke for the visually impaired. After five victories this week, Andrea Cole of London, Ont., took silver in the S8 50 freestyle with Laura Jensen of Fort St. John, B.C., third for her fourth podium appearance.
Jessica Tuomela of Waterloo, Ont., won silver in her 50 freestyle for medal number-four.
“I finished second to the world record holder so I can?t complain,” said Tuomela, who is visually impaired. “The finish was very good. I was feeling the pain, but I could feel I was getting caught for second and pushed through it. I was nervous coming into the Games, but I feel I solidified my confidence for next year.”
On the men?s side Donovan Tildesley of Vancouver went five-for-five winning the 50 freestyle for visually impaired; Brian Hill of Vancouver led Canada to a 1-2 finish in the men?s 100 backstroke for visually impaired for his sixth medal with Devin Gotell of Antigonish was second for his fourth medal.
Drew Christensen of New Westminster, B.C., was Canada?s other victor placing first in the S8 50 freestyle to finish the Games with three gold and a silver.
Benoit Huot of Montreal was Canada?s most decorated male swimmer earning his seventh medal in the S10 50 freestyle in 24.85, the third time in his career he has beaten the 25 second barrier. Andre Esteves of Brazil took the gold in a world record 24.07. Huot compiled three gold and four silver this week.
“I achieved my goal by swimming faster here in every event than at the world championships last year,” said Huot, who broke the world record in the 200 IM earlier this week. “I was disappointed with my worlds and I wondered a bit if I could go as fast as I use to again. I came into these Games with a lot of energy plus I was able to face Esteves who is my biggest rival on the planet. It sets me up well for the Paralympic Games.”
Saturday?s swimming results at the Para Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro (results listed by disability category)
MEN
S8 50 m freestyle:
1. Drew Christensen, New Westminster, B.C., 30.13
2. Gledson Soares, Brazil, 30.93
3. Isidoro Mazotini, Brazil, 32.45
S10 50 m freestyle:
1. Andre Esteves, Brazil, 24.07 (world record)
2. Benoit Huot, Montreal, 24.85
3. Danilo Glasser, Brazil, 26.19
S11 50 m freestyle:
1. Donovan Tildesley, Vancouver, 27.78
2. Rodrigo Ribeiro, Brazil, 28.27
3. Fabio Cruz, Brazil, 30.95
S13 100 m backstroke:
1. Brian Hill, Montreal, 1:04.19
2. Devin Gotell, Antigonish, N.S., 1:11.79
3. Gilberto Neto, Brazil, 1:17.94
WOMEN
S8 50 m freestyle:
1. Amanda Everlove, U.S., 34.68
2. Andrea Cole, London, Ont., 35.70
3. Laura Jensen, Fort St. John, B.C., 36.71
S9 50 m freestyle:
1. Stephanie Dixon, Victoria, 30.97
2. Darda Geiger, London, Ont., 31.77
3. Katarina Roxon, Stephenville, Nfld., 33.02
S10 50 m freestyle:
1. Anne Polinario, Montreal, 28.49
2. Susan Beth Scott, U.S., 30.80
3. Jessica Hodgins, Tecumseh, Ont., 32.66 | 
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