Paralympics Archives - Muskoka411

Wheelchair Tennis Player Rob Shaw Nominated To Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team

News Room — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 16:56:16 +0000

Rob Shaw will represent Canada at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in wheelchair tennis, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Tennis Canada announced Thursday.

Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team – WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

Shaw will be making his second consecutive Paralympic appearance, looking to improve upon his opening round defeat in his debut at Tokyo 2020. A two-time Parapan Am Games medallist, the 34-year-old won gold at the Lima 2019 Games and silver at Santiago 2023. He was Canada’s co-flag bearer for the Santiago 2023 Parapan Am Games Opening Ceremony.

“Qualifying for my second Paralympic Games is the result of a lot of hard work and a lot of support from the team around me,” said Shaw. “COVID drastically impacted my experience in Tokyo, so I am really looking forward to being part of the Games as they were meant to be this time around. Until then I plan on training and preparing as hard as I possibly can to ensure that my performance at the Games is as high quality as it possibly can be.”

Currently ranked world No. 9 in the quad singles division, Shaw won his first singles title of the season just this past weekend, at the German Open in Berlin, an ITF 2 Series event. He was also runner-up at the Royan Open (ITF 1 Series) in France in June. He has secured four doubles trophies, with victories at the Georgia Open (ITF 1 Series), Japan Open (ITF Super Series), Barcelona Open (ITF 1 Series), and Royan Open, partnering with his longtime teammate Heath Davidson from Australia.

“It has been an incredibly enriching experience to have been alongside Rob on this journey towards the Paralympic Games, with all its highs and lows,” said Kai Schrameyer, national coach of wheelchair tennis at Tennis Canada. “It cannot be overstated what a remarkable achievement it is for Rob to have secured a direct qualification slot for the Games as one of only 12 athletes in the quad division. I am looking forward to the competition in Paris and for Rob to leave it all on the court for Canada.”

Shaw qualified directly for the Games through his world ranking. Bipartite (wild card) slot allocation for athletes will be revealed in early August.

The wheelchair tennis tournament in Paris will take place on the red clay courts of Roland Garros. The quad singles draw will commence on August 31 with the medal matches taking place September 5.

“I am so thrilled to welcome Rob to the Canadian Paralympic Team,” said Karolina Wisniewska, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team. “Rob is such an incredible athlete and ambassador for his sport, representing Canada so well on the international stage. The entire team will be cheering him on in Paris!”

“Congratulations to Rob on qualifying for his second Paralympic Games,” said Josh Vander Vies, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team. “Rob has been one of the best players in the world in the tightly contested quad division for many years now, and I know he will be prepared for the Games. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him compete last fall at the Parapan Am Games, and am really looking forward to supporting him again in Paris.”

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place August 28 to September 8 in Paris, France. Canada is expecting to send a team of approximately 130 athletes.

Prior to being officially named to the Canadian Paralympic Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The current list of nominated athletes can be found HERE. The approved final roster will be announced closer to the start of the Games.

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Canada Wraps Successful Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games With 25 Medals

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 16:36:18 +0000

– Team wins Para ice hockey silver and cross-country bronze on final day
– Canada finishes third in overall standings

With Para alpine skier Mollie Jepsen carrying the Canadian flag at the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games officially came to a close.

The Canadian Paralympic Team added two more medals on the final day to conclude the Games with a total of 25. In Para ice hockey, Canada dropped a 5-0 decision to the United States in the final to take silver for the second consecutive Games.

Para nordic skiers Collin Cameron, Emily Young, Mark Arendz, and Natalie Wilkie also teamed up for bronze in the 4×2.5km cross country mixed relay. It was Young’s first medal of the Games, while her three teammates are all multi-medallists in Beijing.

OVERALL MEDAL TOTAL

Gold: 8 // Silver: 6 // Bronze: 11 // Total: 25

Canada finished third in the medal standings behind China and Ukraine. With 25 medals, the 48 athletes who competed in Beijing have orchestrated the county’s second-best Paralympic Winter Games. Four years ago, Canada won 28 medals, its current record.

[LINK] Complete list of medals won by Beijing 2022 Canadian Paralympic Team

[LINK] Complete list of Canadian results

Josh Dueck, chef de mission, Beijing 2022 Canadian Paralympic Team:

“I am so thrilled for each and every athlete who competed for Canada over the past nine days. This team has displayed so much heart, resiliency, and passion and it has been an honour to have the opportunity to witness so many incredible athletes compete and show off all the dedication and hard work they have put in to be the best at what they do. There is so much to celebrate for the entire Canadian Paralympic Team, from every podium performance to the personal bests to so many moments in between that have all combined to elevate, motivate, and unite Canadians and Paralympic sport. It has been a successful Paralympic Winter Games for Canada, and I congratulate all the athletes, coaches, and staff for all their work in making this possible.”

Marc-André Fabien, president, Canadian Paralympic Committee:

“The Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games has been a triumph for Canada and for the Paralympic Movement, showcasing the best of sport on and off the field of play. We look forward to using the momentum from the performances in Beijing to continue to build Paralympic winter sport in Canada, to create more opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport at the highest level, and to increase the funding support for our athletes. As we look ahead to a potential bid to host the 2030 Games, the stepping stones to an even brighter future for Paralympic sport in Canada are clear.”

HIGHLIGHTS

Medals by sport: Para nordic skiing (14), Para alpine skiing (6), Para snowboard (3), Para ice hockey (1), wheelchair curling (1)
A total of 37 athletes are coming home from the Games with a medal
In addition to the medals, Canada earned another eight Top 5 finishes
Para nordic skiers Mark Arendz and Natalie Wilkie claimed the most medals for Canada, with four each. Individually, Wilkie captured two gold and one silver in cross country, while Arendz earned a gold, silver, and bronze in biathlon. Both were then members of Canada’s bronze-medal winning mixed relay squad.
In his sixth and final Paralympic Winter Games, the legendary Brian McKeever further cemented his bursting place in the sporting history books, winning three gold for a total of 20 career Paralympic medals. Already Canada’s most decorated Winter Paralympian and the world’s most successful male Para cross-country skier heading into the Games, he is also now tied with German Para alpine skier Gerd Schoenfelder for the most-ever gold medals won by a male winter Paralympian with 16.
Brian McKeever, Mark Arendz, and Natalie Wilkie all represent different generations of Canada’s uber successful Para nordic team – McKeever, age 42, at his sixth Games; Arendz, age 32, at his fourth Games; Wilkie, age 21, at her second Games
Nine athletes were multi-medallists in Beijing: Mark Arendz (4), Natalie Wilkie (4), Brian McKeever (3), Collin Cameron (3), Mollie Jepsen (2), Tyler Turner (2), Alana Ramsay (2), Brittany Hudak (2), and guide Russell Kennedy (2)
12 athletes won a Paralympic medal at their debut Games: Tyler Turner, Lisa DeJong, Jon Thurston, Collinda Joseph, guide Tristan Rodgers, Rod Crane, Anton Jacobs-Webb, Adam Kingsmill, Zach Lavin, Antoine Lehoux, Garrett Riley, and Branden Sison
Para alpine skier Mollie Jepsen was Canada’s first medallist with a gold in the downhill on day one of the Games
Monday March 7 was Canada’s biggest medal day, winning three gold, a silver, and two bronze
Canada’s Para snowboarders created history in Beijing, winning the country’s first-ever medals in the sport since it joined the Paralympic program in 2014. Lisa DeJong won a silver for Canada’s first podium before Tyler Turner captured the first gold, both in snowboard cross. Turner also added a bronze in banked slalom.
Para nordic skier Natalie Wilkie was Canada’s youngest medallist at the Games. She turned 21 years old in January.
Dennis Thiessen of wheelchair curling was Canada’s oldest medallist at the age of 60.
Canada’s wheelchair curling team claimed bronze to extend its podium streak to five consecutive Games. The sport joined the Paralympic Winter Games in 2006 and Canada has since won three gold (2006, 2010, 2014) and two bronze (2018, 2022).
Mark Arendz crossed the double-digit mark in career Paralympic medals. He started Beijing with eight, and added four more for a total of 12.
Canada’s Para nordic skiing team surpassed the 50 medal mark for total Paralympic medals going back to the first winter Games in 1976. The team started the Games with 45 and have finished with 59 (46 in cross country and 13 in biathlon).
Medallists by listed home province: Ontario (16), British Columbia (6), Quebec (4), Alberta (4), Saskatchewan (2), Prince Edward Island (2), Manitoba (1), Yukon (1), and Newfoundland & Labrador (1)
Canada’s Opening Ceremony flag bearers Ina Forrest (wheelchair curling) and Greg Westlake (Para ice hockey) won a bronze and silver in their respective team sports, while Closing Ceremony flag bearer Mollie Jepsen (Para alpine skiing) comes home with two medals, a gold and silver

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Canadian Wheelchair Curling Team Wins Bronze In Beijing

Staff Reporter — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 16:33:08 +0000

Jon Thurston delivered two spectacular shots in the eighth and final end as Canada defeated Slovakia 8-3 to win the bronze medal in wheelchair curling Friday at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

After a 9-5 loss in the semifinals to China earlier in the day, Canada returned to the curling rink in the evening to play for the bronze. With Canada leading 4-3 after seven ends and Slovakia lying two, Thurston, who shoots last, knocked both Slovakia stones out on his first throw to leave Canada lying three. However, the Slovakian skip put his rock back in scoring position to force Thurston into another pressure shot. The Games rookie was on target once again, discarding the Slovakian stone to give Canada four and a medal.

“Everyone showed up to play,” said skip Mark Ideson, who was born and raised in Parry Sound. “Jon made a couple of beauties to finish it off. We’re so happy to win the bronze. It stings when you lose the semi, and you don’t get a chance to play for gold, but we’re really happy to play and win the bronze.”

Canada stole a point in each of the first two ends before Slovakia scored a deuce in the fourth. One point in the fifth and sixth put the Canadians ahead 4-2 and Slovakia responded with one win in the seventh to set the dramatic finish.

Team Canada was skipped by Mark Ideson, who now lives in London, Ont., with Dennis Thiessen of Crystal City, Man. as the second, Ina Forrest of Spallumcheen, B.C., the third and Thurston from Dunsford, Ont. Collinda Joseph of Stittsville, Ont., was the alternate but did see some action during the tournament.

It is a fourth Games medal for Forrest, a third for Ideson and Thiessen, and a first for Thurston and Joseph.

Canada has now won a medal in all five Games since wheelchair curling joined the program – gold in 2006, 2010, and 2014, and bronze in 2018 and 2022.

Click here for the complete Canadian Paralympic Team results on March 11.

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Canada Advances Into Wheelchair Curling Semifinals At Paralympics

Staff Reporter — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 22:35:53 +0000

With a huge comeback 7-6 victory over Norway in its last round-robin match, Canada officially secured a place in the wheelchair curling semifinals.

Entering the eighth and final end of the match, Canada was down 6-4. A loss and the Canadians would have had to wait it out the rest of the day to see if their record held up to make the semifinals, but a win and they were in. It went down to the very last rock, and a superb throw by Jon Thurston gave Canada three points to take the thrilling triumph.

“I really just stuck to the process,” said Thurston. “I really wanted to confirm the weight and the path, so I was clear on what I was trying to do. I threw it nice and positive, and we got the result we wanted.”

The squad, led by skip Mark Ideson, caps off the group stage with a record of 7-3. Canada is through to its fifth consecutive semifinal at the Paralympic Winter Games. It will be Canada versus China on Friday for a place in the gold medal game.

“I’m feeling some relief. To get through the round robin and to get our spot in the playoffs – it’s a relief,” said Ideson, who was born and raised in Parry Sound.

“I think we thought we should be a playoff team, so it’s great that we officially are,” said Ina Forrest. “I think we just go forward playing the same – treating every shot like it matters, and do your best on every single one. We don’t ever quit, so we’re always going to be there.”

Click here for the complete Canadian Paralympic Team results on March 10.

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Collin Cameron Wins Second Bronze Medal At Paralympic Winter Games

Staff Reporter — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 16:51:22 +0000

Collin Cameron of Bracebridge won the bronze medal Wednesday in the men’s sitting Para cross country race at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

It was Cameron’s second medal of the Games after also placing third in the cross-country long distance event on Monday. He is now up to five career medals at the Games after a triple medal performance in 2018.

“The sprint race is the most fun event here for me personally. I definitely had some big expectations coming in today, I really wanted to win this but I’m happy with third,” said Cameron. “All my competitors, they’re the best in the world and it was just great to go out there and have everyone race the best races they could and see what happens.”

Peng Zheng led China to a 1-2 finish clocking the almost one-kilometre course in two minutes and 42.4 seconds. Zhongwu Mao was second in 2:44.9 and Cameron, second in qualifying and first in his semifinal, followed in 2:46.3.

Cameron was fourth in the event in PyeongChang and was the world champion in 2019.

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Athletes From Bracebridge And Parry Sound Compete In Beijing Paralympics

Maddie Binning — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 21:26:53 +0000

After supporting several local athletes in the Olympics last month, Parry Sound-Muskoka has more to cheer for as two athletes from the region prepare to compete in the Beijing Paralympics from March 4 to 13.

Canada is sending 49 athletes to this year’s Paralympic Winter Games, including wheelchair curler Mark Ideson from Parry Sound and Para nordic skier Collin Cameron from Bracebridge. Both Ideson and Cameron have competed and medalled in the Paralympics before. Ideson competed as part of the gold-winning curling team in 2014 and led the team to a bronze medal in 2018 as skip. He will be skipping the team once again for the 2022 Games. Their first match is against China at 1:35 a.m. EST on March 5.

“It’s such an honour to be selected for what will be my third Paralympics,” Ideson said in a statement from the team. “Going once was incredible, but having the opportunity to wear the maple leaf again is amazing. That’s really what it’s about, opportunity. Opportunity for athletes living with disabilities to represent their country in their chosen sport, and to be seen and witnessed as athletes striving for their dreams to sing their anthem atop the podium.”

Cameron made an impression with his Paralympic debut in 2018, winning three bronze medals in PyeongChang. He’s one of 12 Para nordic athletes racing for Canada this year and he will compete in the men’s sit ski category. His first event is the six-kilometre Para biathlon sprint, which starts at 9:40 p.m. EST on March 4.

Click here to view the schedule for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

Canada’s wheelchair curling team for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is (L-R): Ina Forrest, Dennis Thiessen, Collinda Joseph, Jon Thurston, and Mark Ideson. Photo courtesy of the Canadian Paralympic Committee

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Canada’s Para Ice Hockey Team Named For Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games

Kelly Hart — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 22:01:48 +0000

Seventeen players will be taking the ice at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games next month with podium goals as the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Hockey Canada announced Canada’s Para ice hockey roster on Tuesday.

Rob Armstrong – Defense – Erin, ON
Billy Bridges – Forward – Summerside, PEI
Rod Crane – Defense – Clarksburg, ON
Ben Delaney – Forward – Ottawa, ON
Adam Dixon – Defense – Midland, ON
James Dunn – Forward – Wallacetown, ON
Tyrone Henry – Defense – Ottawa, ON
Liam Hickey – Forward – St. John’s, NL
Anton Jacobs-Webb – Forward – Gatineau, QC
Adam Kingsmill – Goaltender – Smithers, BC
Dominic Larocque – Goaltender – Québec City, QC
Zach Lavin – Forward – Essex, ON
Antoine Lehoux – Forward – Thetford Mines, QC
Tyler McGregor – Forward – Forest, ON
Garrett Riley – Forward – Brantford, ON
Branden Sison – Defense – Edmonton, AB
Greg Westlake – Forward – Oakville, ON

“The 17 players named to Team Canada have shown unwavering perseverance, dedication and commitment as part of the selection process, and we are excited to cheer them on at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games,” said Hockey Canada CEO, Tom Renney. “Whether they are returning to the Paralympics or competing in their first Games, we hope that each athlete is proud to wear the Maple Leaf and be part of a team that inspires Canadians across the country.”

“We are thrilled to announce the athletes who will represent Team Canada in Para ice hockey at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games,” said manager of hockey operations, Marshall Starkman. “This team has worked tirelessly through incredible circumstances in their preparation to compete in Beijing, and they look forward to representing our country with pride and honour.”

Canada is returning 10 members of the 2018 Paralympic squad that won silver: Armstrong, Bridges, Delaney, Dixon, Dunn, Henry, Hickey, Larocque, McGregor, and Westlake.

Bridges and Westlake are the most experienced veterans of the team with Bridges set for his sixth Paralympic Winter Games appearance and Westlake readying for his fifth. Right behind them is Dixon heading for his fourth, with Delaney, Larocque and McGregor playing in their third Games. Hickey will also be at his third Games, but second as a Para ice hockey player after competing in the 2016 Summer Games in wheelchair basketball.

“Any chance to wear the Maple Leaf is very special, and it is an honour to be a part of this team and to compete for a gold medal in Beijing,” said McGregor. “We hope that any young Canadian watching our team will be inspired and see an opportunity to get in a sled on the ice and chase their dreams.”

“Representing Canada at the Paralympics is a tremendous privilege,” said Larocque. “This group has become extremely close during the last four years in preparation of the Games, and we cannot wait to start the tournament on March 5.”

Seven athletes will be making their Paralympic debuts: Crane, Jacobs-Webb, Kingsmill, Lavin, Lehoux, Riley, and Sison.

Canada will be looking to return to the top step of the Paralympic podium for the first time since 2006. In the ensuing years, the country has claimed a bronze in 2014 and silver in 2018. The Canadians are currently ranked No. 2 in the world behind the United States, most recently winning the silver medal at both the 2019 and 2021 world championships, as well as the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

“Today’s announcement is an exciting moment for our athletes and staff as we count down to puck drop in Beijing,” said head coach Ken Babey. “Our team has one goal in mind and that is to bring home a gold medal, and we are confident this group will make Canadians proud from coast to coast to coast.”

Canada will play in Group A alongside the U.S., RPC, and Korea. The top two teams from the round-robin will automatically move into the semifinals, with the bottom two teams playing in the quarterfinals. Canada’s preliminary schedule is as follows:

March 5: Canada vs. United States 1:05 p.m. (12:05 a.m. ET / 9:05 p.m. PT March 4)
March 6: Canada vs. RPC 9:35 a.m. (8:35 p.m. ET March 5 / 5:35 p.m. PT March 5)
March 8: Canada vs. Korea 1:05 p.m. (12:05 a.m. ET / 9:05 p.m. PT March 7)

The rest of the schedule will see the quarterfinals on March 9, semifinals on March 11, the bronze medal game on March 12 and gold medal game on March 13.

“A huge congratulations to all 17 Para ice players who have been selected to play for Canada in Beijing,” said Josh Dueck, chef de mission, Beijing 2022 Canadian Paralympic Team. “Hockey is a sport synonymous with Canada, and this is a team that has achieved a lot of success and will definitely make the country proud at the Games. I know how hard each and every member of the squad has been working to be ready for these Games, and I have no doubt there will be plenty of exciting moments to cheer for during what will be a riveting Para ice hockey tournament in Beijing. Let’s go Canada!”

The Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will take place March 4-13, 2022 in China. Canada is expecting to send a team of approximately 50 athletes, and audiences across the country will be able to follow all the action live through coverage from the Canadian Paralympic Media Consortium, including broadcast partners CBC/Radio-Canada, AMI and Sportsnet, and digital partners Twitter, Facebook, and MXZN.

CLICK HERE to see the complete list of athletes currently named to the Canadian Paralympic Team. The Canadian Paralympic Committee will announce the official full team set to compete closer to the Games.

SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships)

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