Katie Cosgriffe secured Canada’s final medal at the Para swimming world championships in Singapore on Saturday, clinching a silver in the women’s 100-meter backstroke. This marked Cosgriffe’s second medal of the championship after winning a bronze in the 100-meter butterfly event. The Canadian team wrapped up the seven-day tournament with a total of twelve medals, including two golds.
Leading the charge were Mary Jibb from Muskoka and Danielle Dorris from Moncton, each earning three medals, including a gold. Cosgriffe, competing in the S10 classification, reflected on her performance, expressing determination following her fifth-place finish in the 100 backstroke at last year’s Paralympic Games in Paris.
In an interview, Cosgriffe shared, “I was going for gold, but I fell slightly short. Defne Kurt of Turkey put up a tough challenge, but I’m thrilled to come away with a medal nonetheless.” She noted her career-best time of 1:07.37 in the final, just behind Kurt’s winning time of 1:06.95.
Coach Ryan Allen commended the team’s stellar performance, emphasizing the unity and preparation that contributed to their success. The competition featured 19 Canadian swimmers among 580 athletes from 75 countries at the OCBC Aquatic Centre, marking the first world para swim championship in Asia.
The team’s achievements were highlighted by newcomers stepping up and setting personal bests, showcasing a promising future for Canadian para swimming on the international stage. Allen remarked on the team’s consistency, with many athletes reaching finals and achieving personal milestones throughout the championship.
