Canada name Worlds swim team after success at Can Ams

“I’m really looking forward to what’s to come.”

Canada have announced their team for the 2017 World Para Swimming Championships following the 2017 Speedo Can Am Para Swimming Championships in Windsor, Canada between 31 March - 2 April.

Not only did Shelby Newkirk lower the Canadian and Americas records in the 50m and 100m backstroke S7, but she also has the fastest time of any S7 swimmer this year, in both events.

“I was really proud of how I raced,” she said, “There is definitely more room for improvement, but for now I’m really happy with how it all went.

“I’m really looking forward to what’s to come.”

Newkirk, 20, mentioned that her high intensity pacing in practice helped her prepare for her performances in Windsor, in addition to her dryland and visualisation training out of the water.

“Remembering to focus on my own race, on what I can do in the water and not rushing, and focusing on that technique in the water, I think that really helps,” she said. “I did that in finals tonight, and it really helped from this morning.”

Vince Mikuska, Senior Coach of Swimming Canada’s Paralympic Programme, was impressed with Newkirk’s swims, among several others.

“We’ve had some very good swims from the veterans on the team,” he said. “I was also looking for some upward push and movement from out NextGen [next generation] swimmers, and we certainly saw that this weekend as well.”

Looking ahead to the Mexico City 2017 World Para Swimming Championships starting on 30 September, Mikuska emphasised the importance of focusing on small changes that will have a long-term impact.

“We’re going to focus on trying to have everybody get better and something every day between now and then,” he explained, “and just trying to go into the meet and be competitive, and race as hard as we can.”

For now, Newkirk is simply grateful to have participated in the Can Am Championships, looking forward to what lies ahead.

“I’m so excited!” she exclaimed. “This has been a huge meet for me and a huge milestone.

“I’m really proud of how it all went, and I’m just so glad that I had this experience.”

Full results from the Can Ams are available at Swimming Canada’s website.

Canadian Para Swimming Team, Mexico City 2017 World Para Swimming Championships

Women

Morgan Bird

Tammy Cunnington

Sabrina Duchesne

Sarah Girard

Justine Morrier

Shelby Newkirk

Aurelie Rivard

Tess Routliffe

Katarina Roxon

Abi Tripp

Men

Jonathan Dieleman

Alexander Elliot

Benoit Huot

James Leroux

Nicolas Turbide

Philippe Vachon

The Mexico 2017 World Para Swimming Championships will be held from 30 September-6 October, with around 550 swimmers from more than 60 countries competing.

*All records are subject to ratification by World Para Swimming.