Wheelchair racer Anthony Bouchard captured gold on day eight of the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India.
The 32-year-old Canadian dominated the final of the men’s 100-metre T52 event, crossing the line in a time of 16.95 seconds.
“I followed the plan I had this morning. We worked on mental preparation, and she really told me to race my own race. I shut myself off. I didn’t focus on what was happening around me. Then I raced my race,” the newly-minted world champion said.
“I couldn’t really leave out any details. I knew that I was getting faster and faster, but so were they.”
Anthony Bouchard of Quebec City, Que., dominates the Men’s 100-metre T-52. Bouchard captured gold in a time of 16.95 to take the gold, on day 8 of the World Para Athletics Championships, New Delhi.
Bouchard powered into the final in this morning’s session with a new season’s best, personal best and World Para Athletics Championships record time of 16.78 seconds.
“To be honest, I knew I had that in me,” he said. “But with all the conditions we have here, the heat, the air pollution, I had some doubts.”
“I really didn’t know what to expect, but I’m really, really happy with the result, but I couldn’t let my performance in the morning give me too much confidence”
Austin Smeenk moves on
Elsewhere, fellow wheelchair racer Austin Smeenk booked his spot in Sunday’s men’s 800-metre T34 final in convincing fashion, winning his heat with a time of 1:41.45.
“Nobody really wanted to go out and take the lead off of it, nor did I. Then trouble started to accumulate, and I’ve been getting used to driving in real close quarters here in India,” he said.
“So I figured if I’m comfortable in chaos. You’ve got to be comfortable in close space.”
Smeenk is the defending Paralympic champion and current world record holder in this event. He’s looking to win his second medal at this year’s world championships on Sunday, having won bronze in the men’s 400-metre T34 final earlier this week.
7 Canadians to compete on final day
Smeenk will be the first Canadian up during Sunday’s action-packed final day, as Canada looks to add to its six medals (two gold and four bronze.)
The 200-metre duo of Sheriauna Haase and Chloe Dunbar will race in the semis Sunday morning and potentially in the final later that evening.
Renee Foessel looks to keep Canada’s success in the throwing events going, as she steps into the ring in the women’s F38 discus final.
Nate Tucker and Liam Stanley will be part of a fast field in the men’s T38 1500 metres final.
Marissa Papaconstantinou will be the last Canadian to compete on Sunday, as she lines up in the women’s 200-metre T64. She won a bronze medal in the 100-metre earlier this week.
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