Wheelchair Basketball 172 Wheelchair Rugby 208 Wheelchair Tennis 231

Home , 2015 World Cup (snooker), 2018 Canada Cup, Amanda Yan, Aurelie Rivard, BC3, BC4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About the Canadian Parapan Am Team 3 Lima 2019 Canadian Parapan Am Team Media Contacts 4 Chef de Mission: Stephanie Dixon 5 Boccia 7 Goalball 21 Para Athletics 41 Para Badminton 78 Para Cycling 90 Para Judo 106 Para Swimming 113 Para Table Tennis 130 Para Taekwondo 139 Sitting Volleyball 144 Wheelchair Basketball 172 Wheelchair Rugby 208 Wheelchair Tennis 231

About the Canadian Parapan Am Team

Canada will send a team of 151 athletes (including four sport assistants, three pilots, and one guide) competing in 13 sports to the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games from August 23 to September 1.

The team will be led by chef de mission Stephanie Dixon.

The complete Canadian Parapan Am Team list is available for download here and information on the athletes can be found in this media guide and online at Paralympic.ca.

PHOTOGRAPHY To access images of the Canadian Parapan Am Team at the Games, please visit photos.paralympic.ca/ and create an account to download images, free for editorial use.

BROADCAST The Canadian Paralympic Committee will be providing livestreaming coverage of Lima 2019. The complete schedule will be available at Paralympic.ca closer to the Games.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS To access video highlights during the Games, please contact Nicole Watts at [email protected].

SOCIAL Follow the Canadian Parapan Am Team: Paralympic.ca Facebook.com/CDNParalympics Twitter.com/CDNParalympics Youtube.com/CDNParalympics Instagram.com/CDNParalympics

LIMA 2019 PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES Media Contacts

Name Sport Email Phone (Whatsapp) Nicole Watts • Para Cycling [email protected] 613-462-2700 *CPC PR Lead • Wheelchair Tennis Louis Daignault • Para Athletics [email protected] 613-297-1455 • Para Badminton Jody Kingsbury • Wheelchair [email protected] 613-851-2337 Basketball • Para Table Tennis Holly Janna • Wheelchair [email protected] 514-944-5193 Rugby • Boccia Pascal Villeneuve • Para Swimming [email protected] 705-679-4197 • Para Judo Courtney Killion • Sitting Volleyball [email protected] 647-961-5845 • Goalball • Para Taekwondo

STEPHANIE DIXON | CHEF DE MISSION

Athlete. Coach. Leader. Mentor. Broadcaster: 19-time Paralympic Games medallist Stephanie Dixon from Brampton, Ont., is an elite resource when it comes to Para sport. Now she adds Chef de Mission to her glowing resume for not one but two major Games: the 2019 Parapan American Games and the 2020 Paralympic Games.

Dixon, who was born without her right leg and hip, began swimming lessons when she was two, and was instantly hooked. At 13, she was competing competitively against able-bodied athletes. By age 14, she had made Canada’s national team for swimmers with a disability.

As an athlete, Dixon won seven Paralympic Games gold medals, 10 silver and two bronze in an extraordinary Para swimming career. She made her Games debut at age 16 at Sydney 2000 where she collected five gold medals, three of which were in world record time.

In Athens 2004, Dixon churned to eight more medals. She then capped the first part of her Para sport career with four trips to the podium at Beijing 2008. In addition to her Paralympic accomplishments, Dixon was a six-time Parapan American Games champion. She is also a 10-time world champion including five titles at age 14 in 1998.

Dixon retired from competitive swimming in 2010 but she’s been a strong presence in the Para sport community both in Canada and around the world ever since. Lima and Tokyo will not be her first forays into out-of-pool Games assignments.

In 2007, three years before the end of her competitive career, she served as an ambassador for the Parapan American Games in Rio to raise awareness for equal sporting opportunities for all athletes. She was also assistant chef de mission for the Canadian team at the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games.

As a broadcaster, she was part of the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s team at Sochi 2014 and acted as a television host for the 2013 IPC World Swimming Championships in Montreal. For the 2016 and 2018 Paralympic Games, she was one of the main faces of broadcast coverage on CBC. Dixon also provided expert commentary for Commonwealth Games broadcasts in April 2018.

Dixon currently lives in the Yukon, where she moved in 2011. She worked as the head coach of the Whitehorse Glacier Bears Swim Club for two years and today is an entrepreneur who runs her own coaching business. She is a highly sought public speaker and emcee, and an official ambassador for Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart Play Finds a Way advocating for inclusive and accessible sport.

Dixon was inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in November 2016. In 2018 she was appointed to the Order of Canada.

She is a graduate in psychology from the University of Victoria, where she also swam for the varsity team. In addition to swimming, she enjoys mountain biking and cross-country skiing.

BOCCIA

Similar to lawn bowls, boccia is a game of precision that demands intense focus. The primary objective is to throw leather balls as close to the jack as possible. There are four classifications based on the level of impairment. It is practiced in more than 50 countries today.

Boccia is played indoors on a flat, smooth surface. The players propel leather balls (six per competitor) as close as possible to a white target ball (called the “jack”) on a long, narrow field of play. A match has four ends. At the end of the game players receive one point for each ball closer than their opponents’ to the jack.

All events are mixed gender and feature individual, pair, and team competitions for a total of seven medal events. Individual competition consists of four ends and six balls per player per end, whilst paired competition is four ends and six balls per pair per end (three per player). Team competition is six ends, and six balls per team per end (two per player).

Crowd participation is welcomed and encouraged, however, spectators, including team members not in competition, are encouraged to remain quiet during the action of a player throwing the ball.

Canadians Marco Dispaltro and Josh Vander Vies won the bronze medal in the BC4 pairs at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. It was Canada’s seventh Paralympic medal in boccia. Alison Levine enters the Parapan Ams ranked third in the world in BC4 and won her first international tournament in May 2019.

Canada won six medals in boccia at the 2015 Parapan American Games including one gold in pairs BC3 which included Éric Bussière.

Boccia is governed by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports & Recreation Association (CPISRA) internationally and Boccia Canada within Canada.

There are four Paralympic classes in the sport of boccia:

BC1 BC1 athletes have an on-court “sport assistant” to help place the ball in the athlete hand and position the chair. Athletes are allowed to use their foot to kick the ball. Athletes here have coordination impairments which affect all four limbs. They can have difficulty gripping and releasing the ball.

BC2 BC2 athletes do not have a sport assistant. These athletes have a strong grip and ability to release the ball. Athletes may use a manual or power wheelchair for everyday mobility.

BC3 BC3 athletes use a sport assistant as well as assistive devices to help throw, such as a ramp or pointer device. BC3 have very involved impairment affecting all four limbs. There is some arm movement, but unable to throw consistently with speed onto the playing area.

BC4 BC4 athletes have no sport assistant and are athletes with dysfunction affecting all four limbs. They have poor trunk control with weak or lack of control of upper and/or lower limbs with poor grip and release of ball, but enough strength to throw a ball consistently.

ÉRIC BUSSIÈRE | BOCCIA @EBoccia1

DOB December 16, 1985 (33 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Arthabaska, Que. HOMETOWN Verchères, Que. RESIDENCE Verchères, Que. HEIGHT 152 cm COACH Simon Larouche LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY Muscular Dystrophy, BC3 TYPE, CLASSIFICATION Noted for his quick decision-making and ball play on court, BC3 player Éric Bussière is dedicated to success in his craft. Introduced to boccia in 2011, he has excelled in the sport, making the national team only two years later.

Bussière points to the BC3 pair’s win 10-2 win over the United States at the 2015 Boccia Americas Pairs and Team competition for silver as the highlight of his career.

Alongside Paul Gauthier and Kevin Shaw, Bussière displayed confidence and consistency, helping lead the pair to an event qualification for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. In addition, Bussière won an individual silver medal at the World Open in Povoa, Portugal in 2016.

Bussière is assisted on the field of play by his sport assistant, Francine Hebert, who is his mother.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Competed at 2018 World Championships and 2016 Paralympic Games… Won a gold in pairs and a silver medal in singles at 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL Bussière enjoys adapted sailing, good food and traveling. Always willing to try something new, Bussière is constantly challenging himself, whether it’s trying a unique dish or an alternative strategy on the court. In sport, he appreciates the opportunity to visit new places and different people during away competitions.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships – Singles Mixed – 13th 2016 Paralympic Games – Singles Mixed – Eliminated in preliminaries 2016 Paralympic Games Pairs Mixed – eliminated in preliminaries 2016 BISFed Povoa World Open – Singles BC3 – Silver 2015 Parapan American Games – Singles BC3 – Silver 2015 Parapan American Games – Mixed Pairs BC3 – Gold 2015 BISFed Americas Team/Pair Championships – Mixed Pairs BC3 – Silver

IULIAN CIOBANU | BOCCIA

DOB July 29, 1983 (36 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Chisinau, Republic of Moldova HOMETOWN Chisinau, Republic of Moldova RESIDENCE Montreal, Que. HEIGHT 178 cm COACH César Nicolai LANGUAGES French, Romanian, Russian, English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, CLASSIFICATION BC4

Iulian Ciobanu burst on to the boccia scene in 2015, making his first national squad just one year after taking up the sport. Ciobanu played a key role in the BC4 pair’s gold medal performance at the 2015 Americas Team Pair Championships in Montreal. His calm exterior and poise on court have made him a strong member of the squad. Now playing boccia full time, Iulian’s sights are firmly set on Tokyo 2020.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Competed at 2018 World Championships and 2016 Paralympic Games.

PERSONAL Ciobanu is a husband to his wonderful wife Corina and a proud father of two beautiful girls. His life motto is “Nothing is eternal, so enjoy the moment, be always connected to the present: right here, right now!”

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships – Pairs BC4 – 6th 2016 Paralympic Games – Pairs BC4 – 6th 2016 BISFed Boccia World Open in Montreal – Pairs BC4 – Silver 2015 Boccia Americas Team and Pairs Championships – Pairs BC4 – Gold

MARCO DISPALTRO | BOCCIA @BC4Boccia

DOB August 2, 1967 (52 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montréal, Que. HOMETOWN Montréal, Que. RESIDENCE St-Jérôme, Que. HEIGHT 177 cm COACH Mario Delisle LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY Guadalajara 2011, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Becker Muscular Dystrophy, BC4 CLASSIFICATION

London 2012 Paralympic Games bronze medallist Marco Dispaltro is no stranger to Para sport. With a strong background in wheelchair tennis and wheelchair rugby, he exploded onto the boccia scene in May 2010 on the encouragement of head coach Mario Delisle. Dispaltro held a No. 1 world ranking in his classification entering the 2015 season.

Dispaltro started his wheelchair sports odyssey in 1993 as a rugby player and played until 2004. From 2001 until 2008, he acted as the high-performance coordinator of the Canadian national wheelchair rugby team. In 2008, he became the head coach for Sweden, leading them to unprecedented heights.

In May 2010, after years of coaxing and hesitation, Dispaltro tried boccia and it was love at first throw. His respect for the sport of boccia grew exponentially in the first couple of months of training and he's still dazzled by the talent showcased at the elite level. His achievements in boccia include his bronze in pairs with Josh Vander Vies at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, an individual silver at the 2011 Parapan American Games, and a silver in pairs at the 2015 Parapan American Games.

Born with muscular dystrophy, Dispaltro has always been a fighter and brings that spirit wherever he goes. He's a fully dedicated athlete who trains religiously, keeping meticulous training reports and striving for perfection. He quickly masters the technical aspects of the sport he does and he's relentlessly looking to get that edge over the competition. “We are not born champions, we become champions” is the motto he abides by.

Influential people who have helped him in his sporting career include Duncan Campbell and Stéphan Dubuc in rugby, and Josh Vander Vies and Mario Delisle in boccia.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Competed at 2018 World Championships and 2016 Paralympics… Bronze medal at 2012 Paralympic Games… Silver medallist at both the 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL

Renowned for his commitment and dedication to his craft, Dispaltro is rarely seen without a boccia ball in his hand. When he does take time to himself, he is an avid reader and enjoys satirical television. He is also a motivational speaker, using sport to inspire and drive young people.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships – Pairs BC4 – 6th 2018 World Championships – Singles BC4 – 5th 2016 Paralympic Games – Pairs BC4 – 6th 2016 Paralympic Games – Singles BC4 – 16th 2015 Parapan American Games – Pairs BC4 - Silver 2012 London Paralympic Games – Pairs Mixed BC4 – Bronze 2012 London Paralympic Games – Singles BC4 – 9th 2011 Parapan American Games – Singles BC4 – Silver

ALISON LEVINE | BOCCIA @BocciaAlison

DOB May 11, 1990 (29 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal, Que. HOMETOWN Montreal, Que. RESIDENCE Montreal, Que. HEIGHT 157 cm COACH César Nicolai LANGUAGES English, French GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Muscular Dystrophy, BC4 CLASSIFICATION

Alison Levine climbed to No. 2 in the world in the BC4 singles after her first career international victory at the Montreal World Open in May 2019. In 2018 Levine reached new heights in international boccia as she placed fourth in the BC4 singles at the world championships in Liverpool, England. She came fifth at the 2016 Paralympic Games and was a silver medallist in mixed pairs at the 2015 Parapan American Games with Marco Dispaltro.

She is renowned for her powerhouse strength and the speed at which she has developed within the sport.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Fourth at the 2018 World Championships… Fifth at the 2016 Paralympic Games… Silver medal at the 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL

Recruited into boccia by fellow BC4 athlete, Marco Dispaltro. Also participated in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and competitive horseback riding. She is a fan of the Montreal Canadiens.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2019 BISFed World Open in Montreal – Pairs BC4 – Gold 2018 World Championships – Singles BC4 – 4th 2018 World Championships – Pairs BC4 – 6th 2016 Paralympic Games – Singles BC4 – 5th 2016 Paralympic Games – Pairs BC4 – 6th 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – Pairs Mixed – Silver

PHILIPPE LORD | BOCCIA

DOB December 5, 1995 (23 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal HOMETOWN Montreal RESIDENCE Blainville, Que. HEIGHT COACH Simon Larouche LANGUAGES French GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, BC3 CLASSIFICATION

Phillipe Lord loves the game of boccia and has not stopped playing since he picked up a boccia ball at school. When Lord realized he could practice boccia at high level in Montreal, he registered right away. Lord feels best when he is practicing boccia.

What he loves most is when he hits the targets requested by his coaches. He also loves competing against new opponents. Lord most recently competed at the 2019 BISFed Montreal Boccia World Open where he won a silver medal in pairs.

Lord is supported on the field of play by his sport assistant, Gaetan Lord.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Silver medal at 2019 BISFed Montreal Boccia World Open.

PERSONAL

In his spare time, he loves to play board games, watch sports on TV and travel with his family. Lord’s dream is to compete at the Paralympic Games in boccia.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2019 BISFed World Open in Montreal – Pairs BC3 – Silver

MARYLOU MARTINEAU | BOCCIA

DOB November 22, 2000 (18 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Quebec City, Que. HOMETOWN Quebec City, Que. RESIDENCE Quebec City, Que. HEIGHT 137 cm COACH Simon Larouche LANGUAGE French GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, BC3 CLASSIFICATION

Marylou Martineau is a young athlete who started playing boccia in 2009 in a school program in Quebec City. She is the first athlete to join Team Canada as a “rising star” after being initiated to the sport at school. Martineau has already won a few events in the junior class in the province of Quebec and she was a gold medalist at Les jeux du Québec. In 2016, she participated in her first Canadian Championship and her first international competition with Boccia Canada. She was eighth in pairs at the 2016 Paralympic Games.

Martineau is supported on the field of play by sport assistant Josee Duquette.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 Paralympic Games… In 2016, Martineau competed in her first international event in Beijing, China

PERSONAL

Martineau has enjoyed her journey to the international level. She was influenced by the Canadian national team boccia athletes to dream big and shoot for her dreams.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2016 Paralympic Games – Pairs BC3 – 8th

HANIF MAWJI | BOCCIA

DOB February 12, 1968 (51 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Dar es Salaam, Tanzania HOMETOWN Burnaby, B.C. RESIDENCE Burnaby, B.C. HEIGHT 160 cm COACH Mario Delisle LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY 2015 Toronto, 2008 Beijing DISABILITY TYPE, BC1, Cerebral Palsy CLASSIFICATION

As a player, Hanif Mawji is renowned for his consistency and precision on court, two skills that have contributed to his extensive athletic career. Mawji spent several years as a goalie in power-soccer before focusing his energy on boccia. Over 20 years after attending his first international boccia event, he continues to consistently be ranked in the top 10 in the world in the BC1 classification. Most recently, he competed at the 2019 Défi Sportif AlterGo National Open where he won a gold medal.

Mawji is supported by his sport assistant, Hussein Mawji, on the field of play.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Silver and bronze medal at the 2015 Parapan American Games… Competed at the 2008 Paralympic Games.

PERSONAL He enjoys spending time with his family, dancing and swimming and is an avid football and hockey fan.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 Défi Sportif AlterGo National Open – Individual – Gold 2019 BISFed World Open in Montreal – Pairs – Gold 2015 Parapan American Games – Individual – Silver 2015 Parapan American Games – Team – Bronze 2008 Paralympic Games – Individual – 15th

GOALBALL

Goalball is a sport exclusively for athletes with a visual impairment. All athletes wear eyeshades during the game to ensure fairness.

Played in a gym court, the objective of the game is to throw the ball using a bowling motion into the opponent’s net while the opposing players try to block the ball with their bodies. The 1.25 kilogram ball has noise bells which help orientate the players.

It is an intensely unique spectator sport given the venue atmosphere and extreme concentration and silence required by the athletes.

Each team is comprised of six players with no more than three players per team (one centre and two wingers) permitted on the court at any one time. Goals are scored by rolling a ball (called a goalball) toward the opposing team’s net which spans the width of the court at each end.

Goalball is played on a court with tactile markings to enable players to determine their location on the court and the direction he/she is facing at any time. Silence during playtime is critical to allow the players to listen, concentrate, and react.

Game duration is 24 minutes divided into two 12-minute halves with a three-minute halftime.

Three basic rules guide ball throwing/rolling:

1. A thrown ball must touch the floor before passing over the highball (or centre) line, which is six metres from the goal line at the thrower’s end

2. A throw must take place within 10 seconds of coming under the control of the defending team. Passing is permitted within the 10 seconds and players may move about the court to adopt favourable positions

3. No player may take more than two consecutive throws for his or her team.

Personal and team penalties may be awarded for rule infractions.

Goalball was invented in 1946 in an effort to rehabilitate veterans with a visual impairment who returned from World War II. In 1976, it was introduced to the world at the Paralympic Games in Toronto (then called the 1976 Olympiad for the Physically Disabled) and a women’s tournament was added at the 1984 Paralympic Games.

The Canadian women’s team has been particularly successful with five Paralympic Games medals including back-to-back gold in 2000 and 2004. The men won the silver in 1996.

At the 2015 Parapan Am Games in Toronto, both the Canadian men and women were third to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games. The Lima Parapan Ams are also an opportunity for Canada to qualify for Tokyo 2020.

The governing body of goalball is the International Blind Sport Federation, with the Canadian Blind Sports Association acting as the National Sport Organization.

WHITNEY BOGART | GOALBALL @whitneyb33

DOB April 21, 1986 (33 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Thunder Bay, Ont. HOMETOWN Marathon, Ont. RESIDENCE Ottawa, Ont. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 161 cm/ 69 kg COACHES Trent Farebrother, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Guadalajara 2011, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment, B3 CLASSIFICATION

Whitney Bogart was third in tournament and second in team scoring at the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto with 16 goals. She helped Canada to the bronze medal and a berth at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Bogart first got involved in goalball in 2001 while in high school at age 15. She was selected to Team Canada in 2005 and made the cut every year except in 2008. Born with albinism, Bogart and her twin brother, Tyler Burk, both share a love for goalball.

Bogart’s biggest sport accomplishment and medal performance was winning the gold medal at the 2011 IBSA World Championships and Games in Turkey, which qualified the team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Won bronze medals at both 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games…2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games… World champion in 2006 and 2011…Bronze at 2015 World Championships.

PERSONAL

Has three brothers and a sister… All five children have albinism… Her father worked at Marathon's Hemlo Gold Mine from which the first-place medals at the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games were made from… Married and has one daughter, Kennedy.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 4th

2016 Paralympic Games 6th

2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

2015 World Championships 3rd

2012 Paralympic Games 5th

2011 Parapan American Games 3rd

2011 World Championships 1st

2006 World Championships 1st

AMY BURK | GOALBALL @burkamy7

DOB March 17, 1990 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Charlottetown, P.E.I. HOMETOWN Charlottetown, P.E.I. RESIDENCE Ottawa, Ont. HEIGHT 160 cm COACHES Trent Farebrother, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Beijing 2008, Guadalajara 2011, London 2012, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment B3 CLASSIFICATION

Amy Burk (née Kneebone) started competing at the elite level in 2005 after taking up the sport of goalball just one year earlier at age 13 when her vision teacher introduced her to the P.E.I. goalball team coach. Like her teammate Whitney Bogart, Burk needed two tries at goalball before embracing the sport as a youngster, as the speed and strength of the game caught her off guard.

She is a two-time world champion (2006 and 2011) and helped Canada to bronze at the worlds in 2015. Burk represented Canada at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games.

Burk says that when someone tells her there is only one way to do things, it always lights a fire under her and her instant reaction is to prove otherwise. Her passion and drive has made her a valuable team member both on and off the court.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games… 2011 Parapan American Games… World champion in 2006 and 2011… Bronze at 2015 World Championships.

PERSONAL

Athlete representative with Canadian Blind Sports.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 4th 2016 Paralympic Games 6th 2015 World Championships 3rd 2012 Paralympic Games 5th 2011 Parapan American Games 3rd 2011 World Championships 1st 2008 Paralympic Games 5th 2006 World Championships 1st

ABEER (RUBY) HAMMAD | GOALBALL

DOB August 24, 1993 (26 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Kuwait HOMETOWN Lethbridge, Alta. RESIDENCE Calgary HEIGHT - COACHES Trent Farebrother, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment CLASSIFICATION Ruby Hammad represented Canada at the 2019 IBSA Tokyo Qualifier in Fort Wayne, USA and the 2018 IBSA World Championships.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 4th

MEGHAN MAHON | GOALBALL

DOB January 15, 1996 (23 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Timmins, Ont. HOMETOWN Timmins, Ont. RESIDENCE Sudbury, Ont. HEIGHT 171 cm COACHES Trent Farebrother, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment CLASSIFICATION

Meghan Mahon was born with a genetic condition called achromatopsia which is a cone- rod retinal dystrophy condition. She has 10 percent vision and lives a full and independent life despite being legally blind. Her brother Travis has the same condition.

As a child she was very active and participated in many sports including hockey and curling. She said being in a small community (hometown is Timmins, Ont.) made it easier for everyone to know her condition. She started competing in athletics in high school and competed in the Ontario provincial championships which had events for the visually impaired.

Mahon transferred to W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind in Brantford, Ont. in Grade 12, where she was introduced to goalball. She made her senior national team debut at the 2016 Paralympic Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2016 Paralympic Games… In 2015 scored winning goal for Canada in 4-3 victory over U.S. in gold medal game at World Youth Games.

PERSONAL Attended O’Gorman High School in Timmins…Completed first year of child and youth care practitioner at Cambrian College in Sudbury.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 4th 2016 Paralympic Games 6th 2015 IBSA World Youth Games 1st

EMMA REINKE | GOALBALL

DOB June 22, 1998 (21 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE London, Ont. HOMETOWN Ottawa RESIDENCE Ottawa HEIGHT/WEIGHT 156 cm COACHES Trent Farebrother, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment CLASSIFICATION

Visually impaired Emma Reinke initially struggled with sports until she was introduced to goalball in grade nine at W. Ross MacDonald School for the blind in Brantford. She has improved quickly playing for the Ontario junior and senior teams and she was an alternate on Canada’s 2016 Paralympic team. In 2018 she helped Canada to fourth at the world championships.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships

PERSONAL

Born with visual impairment… She is legally blind in her left eye and has poor vision in her right.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 4th

MARYAM SALEHIZADEH | GOALBALL

DOB September 21, 1986 (32 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Feridon Shahr, Iran HOMETOWN Vancouver RESIDENCE Vancouver HEIGHT - COACHES Trent Farebrother, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment CLASSIFICATION

The 2019 Parapan Am Games will be the first time Maryam represents Canada in international goalball.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Top scorer at 2019 Canadian Championships with Team B.C. She scored 17 goals in five games.

PERSONAL

Former member of Iranian national goalball team.

ARON GHEBREYOHANNES | GOALBALL

DOB January 5, 1990 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Calgary HOMETOWN Calgary RESIDENCE Calgary HEIGHT 188 cm COACH Nathalie Séguin LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY Guadalajara 2011, Toronto 2015

DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment, B2 CLASSIFICATION

Aron Ghebreyohannes started playing goalball at age 15 in 2005. Two short years later, in 2007, he started competing in goalball at an elite level. When he was five years old, he had a brain tumor that had to be removed. When it was removed, he was left with no vision in his right eye and a bit of vision in his left eye.

Ghebreyohannes’ sheer love for sport inspired him to play goalball; he finds it different and unique which he really enjoys. For him, sport represents hope and reward for hard work. It has helped bring out characteristics about himself that he never would have guessed he had. He says his greatest challenge since he started competing has been staying consistent at different levels of game play.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2011, 2015 Parapan Am Games… Silver at Junior Worlds Student and Youth Games in 2009.

PERSONAL

Attended Lethbridge College

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd 2011 Parapan American Games 4th

BRUNO HACHÉ | GOALBALL

DOB July 13, 1977 BIRTHPLACE Montreal, Que. HOMETOWN Montreal, Que. RESIDENCE Dorval, Que. HEIGHT 170 cm COACHES Nathalie Séguin, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Guadalajara 2011, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment, B2 CLASSIFICATION

Bruno Haché has competed at four Paralympic Games. Most recently he was a member of Canada’s eighth place men’s squad in Rio. His best result was fourth at the 2004 Games in Athens.

He capped a great 2015 season helping Canada win the bronze medal at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, earning them a berth at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. He was third in team scoring with 11 goals.

Haché got involved in goalball at the age of 23, having begun to lose his vision at age 18 due to a hereditary condition. He found a new passion in the sport and credits it for giving him valuable confidence and pride.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 Paralympic Games… 2011, 2015 Parapan Am Games… Five-time world championship team member.

PERSONAL

Also plays hockey for the visually impaired… His biggest influence is Mario Caron, a veteran goalball player who played in seven Paralympic Games for Canada… He works as a maintenance worker at the Institut Nazareth & Louis Braille in Dorval, Que.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th 2016 Paralympic Games 8th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd 2014 World Championships 12th 2012 Paralympic Games 10th 2011 Parapan American Games 4th 2008 Paralympic Games 5th 2004 Paralympic Games 4th

BLAIR NESBITT | GOALBALL

DOB November 24, 1992 (26 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton, Alta. HOMETOWN Stony Plain, Alta. RESIDENCE Stony Plain, Alta. HEIGHT 180 cm COACHES Nathalie Séguin, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment, B3 CLASSIFICATION

Blair Nesbitt started playing goalball at the provincial level in Alberta in 2013. He was introduced to the sport at an Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind Meeting. Although Nesbitt found it difficult to get accustomed to the eye shades and to solely rely on hearing, he enjoyed the challenge of mastering the game.

Nesbitt, a self-described sports fanatic, is inspired by NHL star Jonathan Toews for his competitiveness, loyalty, and motivation.

The Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games was Nesbitt’s first international competition. He helped Canada win the bronze medal and earn a berth at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2016 Paralympic Games… Bronze medal at Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games

PERSONAL Graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Business Degree in Finance... Works as a financial planning assistant through Alberta’s Employment First Internship Program, created to attract more people with a disability to Alberta’s public service… Fan of pro sport statistics… Competed at the 2016 Canadian Blind Hockey Association Select Series.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th 2016 Paralympic Games 8th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

PETER PARSONS | GOALBALL

DOB September 18, 1975 (44 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L. HOMETOWN Halifax RESIDENCE Halifax HEIGHT 175 cm COACHES Nathalie Séguin LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment CLASSIFICATION

Peter Parsons is the Chair of Blind Sports Nova Scotia and a two-time national champion with Team Nova Scotia. In 2019, he was one of the main organizers of the national championships in Halifax and helped Nova Scotia win the bronze. He also helped coach the province to the men’s and women’s crowns at the national junior goalball championships.

In 2018, he was alternate on Team Canada for the world championships.

He is an orientation and mobility specialist and has been playing goalball since moving to Halifax in 2005.

PERSONAL

Has Stargardt’s disease, a macular degeneration that he has had since he was 12.

DOUG RIPLEY | GOALBALL @DougRipley

DOB November 15, 1973 (45 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Squamish, B.C. HOMETOWN New Westminster, B.C. RESIDENCE New Westminster, B.C. HEIGHT 185 cm COACHES Nathalie Séguin, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY London 2012, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment CLASSIFICATION

Doug Ripley is a veteran goalball player and athlete. In 2012, he competed at his first Paralympic Games in London. He waited 16 years for the opportunity after missing the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games with a stress fracture.

Ripley has juvenile macular degeneration, which means he’s unable to make out details in his central vision. He began playing goalball at 17 and turned competitive in 2003, after having competed in Para athletics as a member of Team Canada from 1993 to 1998.

When he isn’t training, Ripley works as a registered massage therapist and spends quality time with his daughter, Paige.

Ripley made the Canadian national goalball team with a splash in 2010, when his team won gold for the first time at nationals and he was named MVP of the tournament.

He was part of Team Canada at the 2010 World Championships as well as the 2011 IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) World Games, where Canada placed third and qualified for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games

PERSONAL

Before making the move to competitive goalball, Ripley competed in the 400m. His achievements include winning gold at the Kamloops Canada Games in 1993, placing sixth at the 1994 IPC Athletics World Championships in Berlin and eighth at the 1998 IPC Athletics World Championships in Madrid.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th

2016 Paralympic Games 8th

2014 IBSA World Championships 12th

2013 IBSA Pan Am Championships 1st

2012 Paralympic Games 10th

2011 IBSA World Games 3rd

2010 IBSA World Championships 6th

AHMAD ZEIVIDAVI | GOALBALL

DOB September 3, 1985 (33 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Ahvaz, Iran HOMETOWN Vancouver, B.C. RESIDENCE Vancouver, B.C. HEIGHT 168 cm COACHES Nathalie Séguin, Darren Hamilton LANGUAGES Arabic, Farsi, English GAMES HISTORY Guadalajara 2011, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment, B1 CLASSIFICATION

Ahmad Zeividavi began playing goalball at the age of 14 and went on to compete at the elite level in 2009. He pursued goalball because it is a Paralympic-only sport specifically for people with a visual impairment and he really enjoyed the sport right from the start. To Zeividavi, sport represents entertainment, fun, hard work, and teamwork. Sport has helped him feel pride and joy in representing his country.

One of Zeividavi’s most memorable moments in his goalball career was when Canada defeated the U.S. to qualify for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Zeividavi has also competed at the IBSA World Championships and World Games.

He helped Canada win bronze at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, which earned the team a berth at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games… 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL Canadian national team member since 2010 after he emigrated from Iran.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 12th 2016 Paralympic Games 8th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd 2012 Paralympic Games 10th 2011 Parapan American Games 4th

PARA ATHLETICS

Para athletics, also known as track and field, is the largest competition at the Paralympic and Parapan American Games. Events are available for physical disabilities – both wheelchair and standing - and athletes with visual impairments. Contested events are held in track racing, throwing and there is also a marathon and pentathlon.

• Track events: Sprint (100m, 200m, 400m), Middle Distance (800m, 1500m), Long Distance (5,000m, 10,000m), and Relay races (4x100m, 4x400m)

• Road event: Marathon

• Jumping events: High Jump, Long Jump, and Triple Jump

• Throwing events: Discus, Shot Put, Club Throw and Javelin

• Combined events: Pentathlon (track and road events, jumping events, and throwing events, depending on the athletes' classification)

The rules of Paralympic athletics are almost identical to those of its Olympic counterparts. Allowances are made to accommodate certain disabilities (for example, visually impaired runners may compete with guide runners attached to them by a tether at the wrist, but it is not a requirement for them to be attached).

Canada has a rich history in Para athletics and its athletes have reached the podium at every Paralympic Games since 1968. Wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc is the most successful Canadian track Paralympian with 21 medals earned at the Games. She was awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s athlete of the year in 2008, a first for a female athlete with a disability.

Canada won 43 medals in Para athletics at the 2015 Parapan Ams in Toronto including 19 gold.

Para athletics is governed by the International Paralympic Committee with coordination from the IPC Athletics Sports Manager and Technical Committee. For more information about Canadian Para athletics for athletes with a disability, visit Athletics Canada.

Classification

In athletics the sport class consists of a prefix “T” or “F” and a number. The prefix T stands for “track” and F stands for “field.” It indicates for which events the sport class applies, either for track or for field events.

T/F 11-13 Athletes with a visual impairment compete in T11, T12 or T13 classes. Athletes in T11 events compete alongside a sighted guide, those in T12 events have the option of a guide, and those in T13 events race without a guide.

T/F 20 Athletes in this sport class have an intellectual impairment, which typically leads to the athletes having difficulties with regards to pattern recognition, sequencing, and memory, or having a slower reaction time, which impacts sport performance in general.

F31, T/F 32 to T/F38 The lower the number is, the more significant the activity limitation. The 30s sport classes are allocated to athletes with conditions associated with cerebral palsy or traumatic brain injury. The impairments typically affect the ability to control legs, trunk, arms and/or hand function.

T/F40 to T/F 47 Athletes in class 40 or 41 have a short stature. Athletes in class 42 and higher have athletes with limb deficiencies, such as amputations or dysmelia. The lower the number is, the more significant the activity limitation.

T/F 51 to T/F57 In the 50s sport classes, all athletes compete in a seated position, either in wheelchair or on a throwing chair, due to impaired muscle power, restricted range of movement, limb deficiency or leg length difference. Again, a lower number indicates a higher activity limitation.

DAVID BAMBRICK | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB April 14, 1984 (35 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Wolfville, N.S. HOMETOWN Wolfville, N.S. RESIDENCE Wolfville, N.S. HEIGHT 182 cm COACH Jonathan Doucette LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY 2018 Gold Coast DISABILITY TYPE, F37 CLASSIFICATION

Shot putter David Bambrick made his international debut in 2018 at the Commonwealth Games. He was one of nine Canadian Para athletes at the integrated Games and placed sixth in the shotput finishing ahead of Canadian Para record holder Kevin Strybosch.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 Commonwealth Games… 2013 won two bronze medals at Canada Games…

PERSONAL

Works at Acadia University’s fitness centre.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 Commonwealth Games shotput 6th

MICHAEL BARBER | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB July 11, 2000 (19 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Victoria HOMETOWN Victoria RESIDENCE Victoria HEIGHT/WEIGHT - COACH Bruce Deacon LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, T20 CLASSIFICATION

Before the 2019 Parapan Am Games in Lima, Michael Barber competed at his second consecutive world junior championships for Para athletics. At the world juniors in 2017 he won the 1500m and was fourth in the 400m in the U18 category.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2017 and 2019 World Junior Championships… As of July 2019, holds Canadian records in the T20 800 and 1500 metres set in 2018.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 World Junior Championships 1500m 1st

2017 World Junior Championships 400m 4th

BEN BROWN | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB September 9, 1987 (31 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Berwick, N.S. HOMETOWN Weston, N.S. RESIDENCE Cambridge, N.S. HEIGHT 185 cm COACH Ueli Albert LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY 2015 Toronto DISABILITY TYPE, T53 CLASSIFICATION

Ben Brown races primarily in sprint and middle distances, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m, in the T53 classification. He was also NS.’s first para athlete to compete in both the Canada Summer and Winter Games.

In 2006, Brown was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury after an accident while training for motocross, He was paralyzed from the chest down. He didn’t lose his competitive spirit. Before track, he got involved in wheelchair basketball, Para ice hockey and became the first paraplegic to race motorcross.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2015 Parapan American Games… Three-time Canada Games medallist… Named 2015 Male Para athlete of the Year by Athletics Nova Scotia…

PERSONAL

Enjoys cooking, listening to music and watching sport...Business administration diploma from Kentville College…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2019 Grand Prix Nottwill 200m 8th 2019 Daniela Jutzeler Memorial 100m 8th 2019 Swiss Nationals 200m 6th

JENN BROWN | PARA ATHLETICS @JB_NoLimits

DOB June 28, 1980 (39) BIRTHPLACE Calgary, Alta. HOMETOWN Calgary, Alta. RESIDENCE Calgary, Alta. HEIGHT 180 cm COACHE Kim Cousins LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Multiple sclerosis, T38 CLASSIFICATION

Jennifer Brown was recruited into track and field by a high school gym teacher. She competed in the hammer throw but in 2006 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and her symptoms resulted in hospitalization. She was inspired to return to throwing as a way to build strength and fitness.

It was a great decision. Brown competed at her first Paralympic Games in 2016 and placed seventh in discus then improved to sixth a year later the IPC World Championships. In 2015 season she took gold in shot put and silver in discus at the Toronto Parapan American Games and fourth in discus at the worlds.

In November 2018 she began serving on the Athletes' Council of the Canadian Paralympic Committee

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2015 and 2017 IPC World Championships… 2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games... 2014 named Female Para Athlete of the Year by Athletics Alberta

PERSONAL

Works for the City of Calgary in Waste and Recycling Services as a Business Strategist… Urban planning studies University of Saskatchewan

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 IPC World Championships discus 6th

2016 Paralympic Games discus 7th

2015 IPC World Championships discus 4th

2015 Parapan American Games shot put 1st

2015 Parapan American Games discus 2nd

MITCHELL CHASE | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB January 10, 1997 (22)a BIRTHPLACE Toronto, Ont. HOMETOWN Pickering, Ont. RESIDENCE Pickering, Ont. HEIGHT 168 cm COACH Craig Blackman LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Right side hemiplegic – cerebral CLASSIFICATION palsy, T38

Mitchell Chase took fourth spot in the 1500m in his Paralympic Games debut in 2016. He emerged as one of Canada’s most promising young track and field stars at the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, where he won the gold medal in the T38 800-m.

A few weeks later he cracked the top-five in the same event at the IPC World Championships. He started running cross-country in Grade 2 at public school and transitioned to include track in high school.

He competes in the middle distances (400m, 800m 1500m, 3000m) and he is also an excellent cross-country runner.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 and 2017 IPC World Championships… 2015 Parapan American Games… Ontario Para cross-country champion in 2014…

PERSONAL

Born with cerebral palsy which affects his right leg…enjoys skiing and hockey… Achieved NLS & Swim Instructors Certificates with Life Saving Society and Red Cross… He works in both roles in Pickering and at Camp Robin Hood in Toronto… has one sister and a twin brother... Engineering studies with interest in nuclear science.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 IPC World Championships 1500m 7th

2016 Paralympic Games 1500m 4th

2015 IPC World Championships 1500m 5th

2015 IPC World Championships 800m 9th

2015 Parapan American Games 1500m 1st

JOSH FARRELL | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB February 5, 1985 (34 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Owen Sound, Ont. HOMETOWN Port Elgin, Ont. RESIDENCE Port Elgin, Ont. HEIGHT 199 cm COACH Dylan Armstrong LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015 DISABILITY TYPE, Intellectual impairment, F20 CLASSIFICATION

Josh Farrell looks to successfully defend his Parapan Am Games T20 shotput title at the 2019 Lima Parapan Am Games. He took the 2015 crown in Toronto only a year after getting involved in Para athletics. He switched to Para in 2014 after competing as an able-bodied athlete. He won medals at the national and provincial level in 2003 and 2004.

In 2019, Farrell, now coached by 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Dylan Armstrong, set a Canadian Para record of 14.15m in the shot put at the Desert Challenge in Arizona.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 Athletics Ontario All-Ontarian… 2015 World Championships and Parapan American Games…

PERSONAL

Attended Georgian College in Barrie, Ont.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2015 World Championships shot put 7th

2015 Parapan American Games shot put 1st

GAERISSEN FREELAND | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB August 16, 1993 (26 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Peterborough, Ont. HOMETOWN Havelock, Ont. RESIDENCE Havelock, Ont. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 175 cm COACH Craig Blackman LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, T20 CLASSIFICATION

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Gold in 100m and silver in 200m at 2017 Canada Games.

PERSONAL

Graduated from Fleming College in Culinary in 2017.

ZACHARY GINGRAS | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB July 30, 2001 (18 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Markham, Ont. HOMETOWN Markham, Ont. RESIDENCE Markham, Ont. HEIGHT/WEIGHT COACH Craig Blackman LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Cerebral palsy, T38 CLASSIFICATION

After phenomenal performances at the 2017 World Junior Championships and the 2018 World Games, Zachary Gingras will make his Parapan American Games debut in 2019.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 CP World Games 800m 1st

2017 World Junior Championships 800m 1st

2017 World Junior Championships 200m 3rd

MARTHA SANDOVAL GUSTAFSON | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB January 8, 1950 (69 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Tampico, Mexico HOMETOWN Toronto RESIDENCE Toronto HEIGHT - COACH Ken Hall LANGUAGE Spanish, English GAMES HISTORY 1988 Seoul, 1984 New York, 1980 Arnhem, 1976 Toronto DISABILITY TYPE, Polio, F53 CLASSIFICATION

Martha Sandoval Gufstason represented Mexico at the 1976 and 1980 Paralympic Games before wearing Canadian colours at the 1984 and 1988 Paralympic Games. She competed in athletics, swimming and table tennis. At the Games she compiled 19 medals (12 gold and seven silver).

She has also competed in wheelchair curling for the Peterborough Curling Club in and participated in wheelchair rugby.

Her impairment is a result of the effects of polio contracted at seven months old.

In August 2015 she took part in an interview-based theatre work named 'Push!' with five fellow Para athletes. The production, as part of the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, told the history of Para sport competition from 1944 to the present day, joining together six of the athletes' individual journeys in Para sport.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

1984 Paralympic Games athletics 100m 1st

1984 Paralympic Games athletics 200m 1st

1984 Paralympic Games athletics 400m 1st

1984 Paralympic Games athletics 800m 1st

1984 Paralympic Games athletics discus 1st

1984 Paralympic Games swimming 25m freestyle 1st

1984 Paralympic Games swimming 25m backstroke 2nd

1980 Paralympic Games athletics discus 1st

1980 Paralympic Games athletics 60m 2nd

1980 Paralympic Games athletics shotput 2nd

1980 Paralympic Games athletics club throw 2nd

1980 Paralympic Games swimming 25m backstroke 1st

1980 Paralympic Games swimming 25m freestyle 1st

1976 Paralympic Games athletics 60m 1st

1976 Paralympic Games athletics club throw 1st

1976 Paralympic Games athletics discus 1st

1976 Paralympic Games table tennis singles 2nd

1976 Paralympic Games swimming 25m backstroke 2nd

1976 Paralympic Games swimming 25m breaststroke 2nd

DAVID JOHNSON | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB March 20, 1999 (20 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Victoria HOMETOWN Victoria RESIDENCE Saanichton, B.C. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 179 cm COACH Dacre Bowen LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, T12 CLASSIFICATION

David Johnson will make his major Games debut at the 2019 Parapan Ams in Lima.

MICHAEL JOHNSTONE | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB August 15, 1988 (31 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE London, Ont. HOMETOWN Stratford, Ont RESIDENCE Stratford, Ont. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 170 cm COACH Frank Erle LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, T36 CLASSIFICATION

Michael Johnstone makes his major Games debut at the 2019 Parapan Ams in Lima.

LJILJANA LJUBISIC | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB December 17, 1960 (59 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Belgrade, Yugoslavia HOMETOWN Coquitlam, B.C. RESIDENCE Coquitlam, B.C. HEIGHT 188 cm COACH Liudys Masso Beliser LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Sydney 2000, Atlanta 1996, Barcelona 1992, Seoul 1988, New York 1984 DISABILITY TYPE, Visually impaired, F11 CLASSIFICATION

Ljiljana Ljubisic has competed at five Paralympic Games but will make her Parapan American Games debut at Lima 2019.

She won six medals in Paralympic Games competition. At the 1992 Games in Barcelona she earned gold in discus and silver in shot put and collected two bronze in the same events at the 1996 Atlanta Games. At her first Games in 1984, she won silver as part of Canada’s goalball team. Four years later, she took bronze in shotput in Seoul.

After 1984, she began to train in Para athletics with a specialty in the discus throw and shotput. In fact, Lilo was the first blind athlete to ever spin with a discus.

Along with her athletic achievements, Lilo has been acknowledged for her leadership and contribution to the international world of sport and the Paralympic Movement. She’s received awards from the AthletesCAN, Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS), she has also been named one of the 20 Most Influential Women in Sport & Physical Activity and was listed in the Top 100 of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in 2007 (Women’s Executive Network).

A 1992 B.C. Athlete of the Year recipient, Lilo was elected as the first female Chair of the International Paralympic Committee’s Athletes’ Council.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Five Paralympic Games 1984… 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000…. Inducted into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2011

PERSONAL

A misdiagnosed childhood illness at 16 months caused her eyesight to slowly deteriorate until 1990 when she was declared fully blind…Bachelor of arts in psychology… 2007 recipient of the Juan Antonio Samaranch IOC President’s Athlete Award… named to Canada’s Top 20 most influential women in sport 2003-2007…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2002 World Championships discus 6th

2000 Paralympic Games discus 4th

1996 Paralympic Games shotput 3rd

1996 Paralympic Games discus 3rd

1994 World Championships discus 1st

1994 World Championships shotput 2nd

1992 Paralympic Games discus 1st

1992 Paralympic Games shotput 2nd

1988 Paralympic Games shotput 3rd

1984 Paralympic Games goalball 2nd

ALISTER MCQUEEN | PARA ATHLETICS

@AlisterMcQueen

DOB June 19, 1991 BIRTHPLACE Calgary, Alta. HOMETOWN Calgary Alta. RESIDENCE Calgary, Alta. HEIGHT 177 cm/ 80 kg COACH Kim Cousins LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Guadalajara 2011, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Below-knee amputee, F44 CLASSIFICATION

Alister McQueen has been a consistent national team member since the 2011 Parapan American Games in Mexico. At those Games, he produced a successful performance earning bronze medals in the 200-m sprint and javelin. He made his first Paralympic Games team in London in 2012 and competed at the following two world championships and Parapan Ams in Toronto in 2015. Then came his first major international success at the 2016 Paralympic Games with a silver in javelin. A year later he was third in the same event at the world championships.

McQueen was a Petro-Canada FACE athlete, class of 2008.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2013, 2015, 2017 IPC World Championships… 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games, 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL

Grew up playing all different sports including hockey at the age of four... Also played football and was on the swimming team in high school… Continues to play sports other than athletics right now mostly being golf… Played on the Canadian standing amputee hockey team and won two world championships… His left leg was amputated at age nine months due to a congenital birth condition.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 IPC World Championships javelin 3rd

2016 Paralympic Games javelin 2nd

2015 IPC World Championships javelin 14th

2015 Parapan American Games javelin 4th

2013 IPC World Championships javelin 5th

2013 IPC World Championships 200m 6th

2013 IPC World Championships 100m 7th

2012 Paralympic Games javelin 7th

2012 Paralympic Games 100m 9th

2012 Paralympic Games 200m 9th

2011 Parapan American Games 200m 3rd

2011 Parapan American Games javelin 3rd

2011 Parapan American Games 100m 5th

SARAH MICKEY | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB July 10, 1998 (21 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Medicine Hat, Alta. HOMETOWN Medicine Hat, Alta. RESIDENCE Redcliff, Alta. HEIGHT - COACH Kim Cousins LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Partial paralysis… F55 CLASSIFICATION

Thrower Sarah Mickey makes her major Games debut at the Parapan Ams in Lima. She started in Para athletics in 2015. She played Para ice hockey for the Canadian national team and the Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds. Prior to her illness she practised figure skating.

She began to lose the feeling in her lower body in 2014 due to Lyme disease. The condition is a bacterial infection that is spread by ticks.

PERSONAL

Administration Studies - Medicine Hat College.

ADAM PAUL-MORRIS | PARA ATHLETICS (GUIDE)

DOB August 25, 1992 (27 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Vancouver HOMETOWN Victoria RESIDENCE Victoria HEIGHT - COACH Dacre Bowen LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Guide CLASSIFICATION

Adam Paul-Morris has been training as an elite athlete since 2009. He’s won numerous B.C. championships, won a Canadian 600m title, and represented Canada at the World University Games. He also ran a 1:48.00 in the 800m event which put him within two seconds of the Olympic standard.

At the 2019 Parapan Am Games he will be the guide for visually impaired runner David Johnson.

PERSONAL

Completed a mining engineering degree at the University of British Columbia

THOMAS NORMANDEAU | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB July 30, 1996 (23 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Peace River, Alta. HOMETOWN Peace River, Alta. RESIDENCE Mesa, Arizona HEIGHT/WEIGHT COACH Heather Hennigar LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, T47 CLASSIFICATION

Thomas Normandeau makes his major Games debut at the 2019 Parapan Ams in Lima.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 Arizona Grand Prix 400m 1st

HARRISON ORPE | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB July 6, 1995 (24 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Calgary HOMETOWN Calgary RESIDENCE Calgary HEIGHT/WEIGHT - COACH Kim Cousins LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, F33 CLASSIFICATION

Harrison Orpe has set three personal bests in 2019 as he prepares for the Parapan American Games. He’s lowered his best distance in the shotput twice: 5.88 metres at the Alberta Indoor Games in February them 6.54 metres outdoors at a Grand Prix in Arizona. He also delivered a PB 14.03 in the javelin in May.

GUILLAUME OUELLET | PARA ATHLETICS @ouellet86

DOB March 10, 1986 (33) BIRTHPLACE Sorel, Que. HOMETOWN Quebec City, Que. RESIDENCE Victoriaville, Que. HEIGHT 174 cm COACH Félix-Antoine Lapointe LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Visually impaired, T13 CLASSIFICATION

Guillaume Ouellet returned to the world championship podium in 2017 earning the bronze in the 5000m as the defending champion. He clocked 14:23.24, which was a Pan American record. Just a few weeks earlier at a local meet, he had bettered his Canadian record by 12 seconds. In 2016, he just missed a medal at the Paralympic Games placing fourth in the 5000-m.

In 2015, Ouellet produced a breakthrough season with the gold medal in the 1500m at the Parapan American Games and victory in the 5000m at the IPC World Championships. The visually impaired runner gained valuable experience at the 2013 IPC World Championships with a fourth place in the 1500-m final.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2017 - world champion 5000m... 2016 - Paralympic Games... 2015 Parapan American Games… named Athletics Canada’s Para athlete of the year… 2013, 2015, 2017 IPC World Championships… 2012 Victoriaville's Athlete of the Year...

PERSONAL

In 2018, la Coupe Guillaume-Ouellet five kilometre run was added as an event at the Le Grand Défi de Victoriaville…Passion for baking, coffee and running… Started running in college for Universite Laval cross-country team in 2011... He has retinitis pigmentosa, resulting in a field of vision of about 10 degrees.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 IPC World Championships 5000m 3rd 2017 IPC World Championships 1500m 8th 2016 Paralympic Games 5000m 4th 2016 Paralympic Games 1500m 9th 2015 IPC World Championships 5000m 1st

2015 IPC World Championships 1500m 6th

2015 Parapan American Games 1500m 1st

2013 IPC World Championships 1500m 4th

NATHAN RIECH | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB February 5, 1995 (24) BIRTHPLACE Fresno, California HOMETOWN Victoria RESIDENCE Victoria HEIGHT/WEIGHT COACH Heather Hennigar LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Disability on right side, T38 CLASSIFICATION

At age 10, a freak accident changed Nathan Riech’s world. He was playing golf with some friends and a player from another group whacked a ball from 150 yards away which accidently hit Reich in the back of his head. He was diagnosed with a brain injury which affected the right side of his body.

He started running in grade eight and competed against able-bodied through university. He finished all conferences in the indoor mile his senior year against able-bodied competitors.

In 2018, Riech moved from Phoenix to Victoria to train at the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific which has provided him with structure in his training program. That same year, he burst on the international scene with world record performances in the 800-m and 1500-m at the Berlin Grand Prix.

The results in 2019 are already. He broke the 1500m world record in June at a meet in Burnaby, B.C.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Named Athletic Canada’s Ambulatory Athlete of the Year for 2018… As of July 2019, holds the world record in the T38 800m and 1500m.

PERSONAL

His father Todd Riech competed at the 1996 Olympics in javelin for the USA…. His mother Ardin Tucker was a pole vaulter for Canada… His grandfather Jim Harrison played eight years in the NHL with the Maple Leafs, Blackhawks and Bruins.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 Portland Twilight Meet 1500m 1st

2018 Berlin Grand Prix 1500m 1st

2018 Berlin Grand Prix 800m 1st

AMANDA RUMMERY | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB August 7, 1997 (22 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Kenora, Ont. HOMETOWN Sherwood Park, Alta. RESIDENCE Sherwood Park, Alta. HEIGHT - COACH Maegan Ciesielski LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Left arm amputee, T46 CLASSIFICATION

Runner Amanda Rummery will be making her major Games debut in 2019 at the Parapan Ams in Lima. She’s been running fast in 2019 with Canadian records pending in the 100, 200 and 400-m in the women’s T46.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 Desert Challenge Grand Prix 100m 2nd

2019 Desert Challenge Grand Prix 200m 2nd

2019 Desert Challenge Grand Prix 400m 2nd

LIAM STANLEY | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB June 12, 1997 (22) BIRTHPLACE Victoria, B.C. HOMETOWN Victoria, B.C. RESIDENCE Victoria, B.C. HEIGHT 177 cm COACH Bruce Deacon LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Cerebral palsy, T37 CLASSIFICATION

Liam Stanley made a spectacular national team debut in Para athletics at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio with a silver medal in the T37 1500-m. He showed that result was no fluke when he placed second again at the 2017 IPC World Championships. Stanley is coached by one of Canada’s best-ever marathon runners Bruce Deacon, a two-time Olympian.

Stanley is also one of the star players on Canada’s national Para soccer team. He was named the Canadian Para soccer player of the year in 2013 and 2014. He is known for his dedication and determination to improve as a player both on and off the field.

At the 2014 America Cup, his defensive abilities were instrumental in helping the team secure a fourth-place finish and a berth at the 2015 CP World Championships. Stanley was also a member of the 2015 CP world championship team that placed 10th in England.

Stanley made his Team Canada para-soccer debut in 2011 at age 14 in a 4-2 victory over the U.S. He participated in several sports as a youngster and was five years old when he started playing soccer for Bays United.

Stanley was a Petro-Canada FACE athlete, class of 2016.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Silver medal in T37 1500-m at 2016 Paralympic Games and 2017 IPC world Championships… 2015 Parapan American Games… 2015 CP World Championships… 2013 and 2014 Canadian Para soccer player of the year.

PERSONAL

A stroke at birth left him with weakness on his right side… Younger brother Jack also competes in athletics.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

(Para athletics)

2017 IPC World Championships 1500m 2nd

2017 IPC World Championships 800m 7th

2016 Paralympic Games 1500m 2nd

(Para soccer)

2015 Parapan American Games 4th

2015 CP World Championships 10th

2014 America Cup 4th

2013 Intercontinental Cup 10th

2013 Défi sportif 3rd

JANZ STEIN | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB July 4, 1981 (38 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Regina HOMETOWN Regina RESIDENCE Regina HEIGHT 180 cm COACH Arthur Ward LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, T64 CLASSIFICATION

Janz Stein was once a mixed martial arts boxer before a dirt biking accident interrupted his life in 2011. He shattered his left leg and two years later it was amputated below the knee.

He started training in athletics in 2014 and by the following year he was ranked in the top- 20 in the 100m and long jump. In 2016, he broke the Canadian T64 long jump record at the national championships with a 6.10 metre leap.

While he fell short in his bids for the 2015 Parapan Ams and 2016 Paralympics, the blade running Stein hopes to make his mark at Lima 2019.

GREG STEWART | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB July 13, 1986 (33) BIRTHPLACE Victoria HOMETOWN Kamloops, B.C. RESIDENCE Kamloops, B.C. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 218 cm COACH Dylan Armstrong LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Guadalajara 2011, Rio 2007 DISABILITY TYPE, Lower left arm amputee, F46 CLASSIFICATION In his rookie season in Para athletics in 2018, Greg Stewart was ranked number one in the world in the F46 men’s shotput. He is coached by Dylan Armstrong, the Olympic bronze medallist in the shotput at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Before becoming a thrower in athletics, the 7’2’’ Stewart already possessed an impressive sports resume. He was a member of Canada’s national sitting volleyball team highlighted by bronze medals at the 2007 and 2011 Parapan American Games. He also won three world titles with the men’s Para standing volleyball team. When he attended Thomson Rivers University he was a star on the varsity basketball team and named USport defensive player of the year in 2011.

Stewart was the recipient of a Petro-Canada FACE grant in 2017.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Won three world titles with the Canadian national Para standing volleyball team…

PERSONAL Studied human resources at Thompson Rivers University…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Para Athletics Challenge shot put 1st 2018 Canadian Championships shot put 1st 2018 Desert Challenge Games shot put 1st| 2018 Harry Jerome Classic shot put 3rd (able-bodied event) 2011 Parapan American Games 3rd (sitting volleyball) 2007 Parapan American Games 3rd (sitting volleyball)

AMY WATT | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB December 16, 1997 (21 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Palo Alto, California HOMETOWN Palo Alto, California RESIDENCE Claremont, California HEIGHT 167 cm COACH LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015 DISABILITY TYPE, T47 CLASSIFICATION

Amy Watt competed for the USA at the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games and 2016 Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Lima 2019 will be her first international Games representing Canada.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Sixth-place finish at her first Paralympic Games at Rio 2016 …. 2015 Parapan Am Games … Competed at the 2015 World Para Athletics Championships.

PERSONAL Attends Pomona College in Claremont, California where she competes on the varsity women’s track and field team … Born without part of her left arm … Has been a track and field athlete since grade seven but first discovered Para athletics in 2014… Her father Jeff is Canadian.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS Rio 2016 Paralympic Games – 6th long jump Rio 2016 Paralympic Games – 6th 400m 2015 Parapan Am Games – 4th 100m 2015 Parapan Am Games – 4th 200m

KYLE WHITEHOUSE | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB May 25, 1990 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE London, Ont. HOMETOWN St. Catharines, Ont. RESIDENCE St. Catharines, Ont. HEIGHT 178 cm COACH LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Guadalajara 2011

DISABILITY TYPE, T38 CLASSIFICATION

Kyle Whitehouse was born with mild cerebral palsy. He began running in 2005 as an extracurricular activity after school and the sport has since become a passion. His international debut was as a member of the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championship team, placing fifth in the 100 metres. He also was a double silver medallist that same year at the Parapan American Games.

He won two more Parapan Am medals on home soil at Toronto 2015, a gold in the 200m – in a Parapan Am record time of 23.66 – and silver in the 100m. He also was a torch bearer during the relay prior to the Games.

He competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and finished fourth in the 100m.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Five-time Canadian champion… Canadian record holder T38 100m (11.60) … Canadian record holder T38 200m (23.55) … Four-time Parapan Am medallist (two in 2011 and two in 2015)

PERSONAL Enjoys football, hockey, muscle cars and watching drag racing with his dad Geoff and brother Michael. An extremely social person, he shares his Para sport experiences at speaking engagements.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2015 Parapan Am Games – Gold 200m 2015 Parapan Am Games – Silver 100m 2011 Parapan American Games – Silver 100m 2011 Parapan American Games – Silver 200m

MADISON WILSON-WALKER | PARA ATHLETICS

DOB May 4, 1997 (22 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE London, Ont. HOMETOWN Avon, Ont. RESIDENCE Springfield, Ont. HEIGHT 165 cm COACH Derrick Johnston LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Double leg amputee, T64 CLASSIFICATION

Despite having a disability since age three, blade runner Madison Wilson-Walker has always been involved in sport. Her first activities included horseback riding, figure skating and golf. Later on she ran competitively at her high school (Lord Dorchester Secondary School) and her track club (London Western). She will compete in long jump at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima.

PERSONAL

At age three, she contracted a rare form of meningitis and as a result both of her legs needed to be amputated below the knee and some of the fingertips on her left hand….She was one of three Ontario athletes featured on the Quest for Gold crossword puzzle scratch issued by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG)… At age 12 she was a flower collector on the ice during the figure skating competition at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2015 World Championships 400m 6th

PARA BADMINTON

Para badminton has been competed internationally since the 1990s, with the first World Championships taking place in Amersfoort, Netherlands, in 1998. But it was not until 2011 that the sport was brought under the governance of the Badminton World Federation.

There have been 12 World Championships to date, with the last taking place in 2019 just a week before the Lima Games. The sport will make its Parapan American Games debut in 2019 and its Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

Classifications for Para badminton fall into three categories: wheelchair, standing, and short stature.

Wheelchair classifications are broken down into WH1: spinal injury causing impairment to upper limbs/trunk, scoliosis, multiple sclerosis, and WH2: spinal injury causing lower impairment to upper limbs/trunk, spina bifida, above knee amputation necessitating use of a wheelchair.

Standing classifications are SL3: single above knee amputation, double below knee amputation, cerebral palsy; SL4: single below knee amputation, cerebral palsy, hip dysplasia, leg length difference (of minimum 7cm); and SU5: upper limb amputation, upper limb impairment e.g. brachial plexus injury. The short stature classification (SS6) is for short stature/dwarf condition.

Para badminton is governed by the Badminton World Federation with Badminton Canada the National Sport Organization in Canada.

YUKA CHOKYU | PARA BADMINTON

DOB December 9, 1966 (52 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Chiba, Japan HOMETOWN Vancouver, B.C. RESIDENCE Vancouver, B.C. HEIGHT - COACH Ram Nayyar LANGUAGES English, Japanese GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Beijing 2008, Athens 2004, Sydney 2000 DISABILITY TYPE, Paraplegic, WH1 CLASSIFICATION

Yuka Chokyu brings a wealth of experience to the Para badminton national team. She was a three-time Paralympian in wheelchair tennis. Her talents are equally as impressive on the badminton court, claiming the women’s singles title at the 2017 National Championships, conceding only 29 points throughout the tournament.

In wheelchair tennis she enjoyed many great moments in her career. Among her proudest was reaching the semis at the NEC Singles Masters in 1998 as well as being a member of Canada’s bronze medal winning squad at the 1999 World Team Cup.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Three-time Paralympian (2000, 2004, 2008) in wheelchair tennis…. 2015 Parapan American Games in wheelchair tennis… Ranked 13th in the world as of June 2019.

PERSONAL

Moved to Canada from Japan in 1989…Injured in car accident in 1990…Graduated from Douglas College with General Business Diploma in 1994.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 Pan Am Championships Doubles –1st 2018 Pan Am Championships Singles –2nd 2018 Pan Am Championships Mixed Doubles – 3rd

BERNARD LAPOINTE | PARA BADMINTON

DOB July 10, 1984 (35 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE St-Léonard, N.B. HOMETOWN St-Léonard, N.B. RESIDENCE Moncton, N.B. HEIGHT 173 cm COACH Marc Laforge LANGUAGES English, French GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, Incomplete paraplegic, WH2 CLASSIFICATION

Bernard Lapointe has been an avid sportsman his entire life. Even an unfortunate accident six years ago which left him an incomplete paraplegic couldn’t keep the 35-year-old Acadian from St-Léonard, N.B. from continuing to strive for excellence on the playing field.

Right now, his focus is on Para badminton, the latest addition to the official program of both the 2019 Parapan American Games this August in Lima and the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Lapointe played badminton in high school but only took up the wheelchair version of the sport in 2016. He was already a nationally ranked wheelchair tennis player and also played Para ice hockey in the winter.

The Parapan Ams will be the first time Lapointe wears the Canadian uniform at a major Games. He will compete in doubles with a player whose names will be familiar to long-time Paralympic Games fans: Richard Peter, a five-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball.

Lapointe was a 2018 Petro-Canada FACE grant recipient.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Three bronze medals at the 2018 Pan Am Championships in Lima.

PERSONAL

Lapointe was injured in an ATV accident permanently injuring one leg. His spinal cord was pinched but not severed.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 Pan Am Championships – Singles – 3rd 2018 Pan Am Championships – Doubles – 3rd 2018 Pan Am Championships – Mixed doubles – 3rd 2016 Pan Am Championships – Singles – 2nd

PASCAL LAPOINTE | PARA BADMINTON @parabadPL

DOB September 6, 1976 (42 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal HOMETOWN Montreal RESIDENCE Montreal HEIGHT 180 cm COACH Danièle Bouffard LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Spastic hemiplegia, SL4 CLASSIFICATION

In 2018, Pascal Lapointe won three medals at the Pan Am Championships in Lima which will host the 2019 Parapan American Games at which Para badminton makes it official debut. That included a victory in mixed doubles with Olivia Meier.

He started playing at around age eight. Because the sport requires a dominant hand it was more suitable to his impairment than other sports he tried.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Ranked 16th in the world as of June 2019.

PERSONAL

Lapointe is afflicted with spastic hemiplegia which affects his left side.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 Pan Am Championships Mixed Doubles – 1st

2018 Pan Am Championships Singles – 2nd

2018 Pan Am Championships Doubles – 2nd

2016 Pan Am Championships Doubles – 1st

2016 Pan Am Championships Singles – 3rd

WYATT LIGHTFOOT | PARA BADMINTON

DOB June 6, 2003 (16 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Moose Jaw, Sask. HOMETOWN Assiniboia, Sask. RESIDENCE Wilcox, Sask. HEIGHT COACH Frank Gaudet LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, Short stature, SS6 CLASSIFICATION

Wyatt Lightfoot started playing Para badminton in 2014 and began competing a year later under coach Frank Gaudet. He attended the first Para badminton nationals in 2016 and he won the gold medal. That fall he was selected to the national team and started competing internationally.

Lightfoot excels in many sports including hockey which he played from ages 4-13 before the size difference and contact made it too risky for him. He also raced competitively in swimming in his hometown until 12.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Ranked 14th in the world as of June 2019… Badminton Canada’s Junior Para athlete of the Year in 2017 and 2018.

PERSONAL

Competed in badminton, floor hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, swimming and track and field at the World Dwarf Games in 2017. He won seven medals: four gold, two silver and one bronze.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 Pan Am Championships Singles – 3rd

2018 Pan Am Championships Doubles – 3rd

2016 Pan Am Championships Doubles – 4th

OLIVIA MEIER | PARA BADMINTON

DOB April 14, 1999 (20 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Winnipeg HOMETOWN Tuxedo, Man. RESIDENCE Winnipeg HEIGHT 168 cm COACH Elliot Beals LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, SL4 CLASSIFICATION

Before she won a gold and silver medal at the first Canadian Para badminton championships in 2016, Olivia Meier had played against and with other able-bodied athletes. While she poses fierce competition for athletes of all abilities, a right-side weakness in both her upper and lower body qualifies her for Para badminton.

She says she can’t really serve like an able-bodied player so she was taught to hold the bird differently, and at times her footwork is slightly different.

In her first international competition in 2018, Meier played some of the best badminton of her life on route to winning a gold medal in mixed doubles and silver medals in singles and doubles.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

In 2018, she won three medals at the Pan Am Championships… She took home gold and silver at the first Canadian Para Badminton Championships in 2016.

PERSONAL

Started playing badminton at eight and entered her first tournaments at 10.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 Pan Am Championships Mixed Doubles – 1st 2018 Pan Am Championships Doubles – 2nd 2018 Pan Am Championships Singles – 2nd

RICHARD PETER | PARA BADMINTON

DOB September 10, 1972 (46 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Duncan, B.C. HOMETOWN Vancouver, B.C. RESIDENCE Vancouver, B.C. HEIGHT 173 cm COACH Ram Nayyar LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 (in wheelchair basketball) DISABILITY TYPE, Paraplegic, WH1 CLASSIFICATION

Richard Peter competed at five Paralympic Games with Canada’s wheelchair basketball team from 1996 to 2012. He won three gold medals in 2000, 2004, and 2012 and a silver medal in 2008.

In 2017, he started playing Para badminton and has quickly developed to being one of Canada’s top player. He credits his fast improvement to his wheelchair basketball experience.

Peter began playing wheelchair basketball at age 15 after a team came to his school and introduced him to wheelchair sports. He has been using a wheelchair since being injured in a bus accident at four years old.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Five-time Paralympian with Canada’s wheelchair basketball team (1996-2012)… Won the 2012 National Aboriginal Achievement Award for his outstanding athletic accomplishments…. Inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2010… Named Wheelchair Basketball Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2008… Received Tom Longboat National Award for Aboriginal Male Athlete of the Year in 2000.

PERSONAL

A member of the Cowichan Tribes of British Columbia and was the only First Nations athlete on Canada’s Paralympic Team in Beijing in 2008… ‘’Chiefs and Champions” is a 2007 documentary about Peter’s career and successes as a wheelchair basketball athlete… Works with First Nations sports programs in Cowichan Valley communities… Married to former women’s national wheelchair basketball team member Marnie Abbott-Peter.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 Pan Am Championships – Singles – 3rd 2018 Pan Am Championships – Doubles – 3rd

In Wheelchair Basketball 2012 Paralympic Games – Gold 2008 Paralympic Games – Silver 2004 Paralympic Games – Gold 2000 Paralympic Games – Gold 1996 Paralympic Games – Fifth

WILLIAM ROUSSY | PARA BADMINTON

DOB November 13, 2003 (15 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Maria, Que. HOMETOWN Maria, Que. RESIDENCE Maria, Que. HEIGHT 174 cm COACH LANGUAGES French GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Hemiplegia, SL4 CLASSIFICATION

William Roussy made a sparkling international debut at the 2018 Pan Am Championships in Para badminton as he won the bronze medal in singles. A month later he was named to the national team.

PERSONAL

Has hemiplegia which affects the left side of his body.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 Pan Am Championships Singles – 3rd

PARA CYCLING

Para cycling includes athletes who have a visual impairment, have cerebral palsy, amputations and other physical impairments. Cyclists with a visual impairment ride in tandem with a sighted guide, known as a pilot. There are also events on tricycles or hand cycles based on the disability. As is the case at the Olympics, competition is held on a track (velodrome) and on the road.

Para cycling was first developed by cyclists with a visual impairment who competed using tandem bicycles. It was introduced as a Paralympic sport in Seoul in 1988. Track events were added for the 1996 Games in Atlanta. Canada has earned Para cycling medals at every Paralympics except the 2004 Games in Athens.

Top stars include multiple world champion Shelley Gautier, a finalist in 2015 for the Laureus Sports Award for top athlete in the world with a disability. Para cycling was Canada’s most successful sport at the 2016 Paralympics with riders collecting nine medals.

At the 2015 Parapan Am Games in Toronto, Canada won 14 medals in Para cycling including four gold.

Cycling Canada looks after Para cycling in Canada, with the international governing body being Union Cycliste Internationale.

The competition program includes sprints, individual pursuits, the 1,000-metre time trial, road races and road time trials for both individuals and teams.

Sport classes:

Athletes with physical disabilities compete on hand cycles (H), tricycles (T) or bicycles (C). Athletes with a visual impairment compete on tandems with a sighted “pilot” (TB).

Hand cycle Sport classes H1-H4 compete in a reclined position, while H5 cyclists sit on their knees and can use their arms and trunk to accelerate.

Tricycle Athletes in these classes have disabilities affecting their balance and coordination, using the tricycle to increase stability. T1 athletes have a more involved impairment than T2.

Bicycle Athletes who are able to use a standard bicycle compete in the five sport classes C1-5. The sport class profiles include amputations, impaired muscle power or range of motion and also impairments affecting coordination, such as ataxia and athetosis.

Tandem Cyclists with a visual impairment race tandem with a sighted cyclist (pilot) in front. B1, B2 and B3 athletes compete together in one event.

ANNIE BOUCHARD | PARA CYCLING

DOB October 26, 1974 (44 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Quebec City HOMETOWN Baie-St-Paul, Que. RESIDENCE Baie-St-Paul, Que. HEIGHT 160 cm COACH Sébastien Travers LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Visually impaired CLASSIFICATION Annie Bouchard became a high-level Para cyclist after having started in the discipline in 2011.

According to Bouchard, the sport brings her health and competitiveness. As a young person, she excelled in several sports even before her vision illness was diagnosed. She did figure skating, played golf and badminton. But the bike has always occupied a place of choice.

Since 2015, Annie has been part of the NextGen program on the Canadian Para cycling Team. In 2018, the Bouchard-Gagnon duo won the gold medal at the Défi sportif, in the road race and the time trial.

Bouchard and her guide Évelyne Gagnon won gold in the time trial and silver in the road race at the 2019 Canadian Para cycling championships.

PERSONAL Director general at a community centre in Baie-St-Paul.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2019 World Cup (BEL) road race 9th 2019 World Cup (SPA) time trial 5th 2019 World Cup (SPA) road race 6th 2018 World Cup (CAN) road race 4th 2018 World Cup (CAN) time trial 6th 2018 World Cup (NED) time trial 4th 2018 World Cup (NED) road race 8th

ANDREW DAVIDSON | PARA CYCLING (PILOT)

DOB June 8, 1984 (35 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Winnipeg HOMETOWN Calgary RESIDENCE Calgary HEIGHT - COACH Sébastien Travers LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Pilot, B CLASSIFICATION

Andrew Davidson is the pilot for visually impaired cyclist Lowell Taylor. He brings more than 20 years of racing experience. Besides road and track racing he has also competed in mountain bike, and cyclo-cross.

He developed through the local ranks in Calgary, joined the Alberta team, the Canadian national team and at 20 signed his first contract with JetFuel Pro Cycling Team.

PERSONAL

Has a degree in film production from Vancouver Film School… Musician…

PATRICK DESNOYERS | PARA CYCLING

DOB July 26, 1973 (46 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Cartierville, Que. HOMETOWN Blainville, Que. RESIDENCE Blainville, Que. HEIGHT - COACH Sébastien Travers LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Two fractured vertebraes, H5 CLASSIFICATION

After his motorcross accident in 2010, Patrick Desnoyers enjoyed success in Para ice hockey. He competed at three Canadian championships with Team Quebec. He also purchased a bike over that period to keep active. He attended a Canadian Paralympic Committee Paralympian Search event in Montreal and was encouraged to pursue Para cycling.

By 2018, the handcyclist competesd in the U.S. and Canada and earned his first medals. He was also on Canada’s team in 2018 for the World Cup in Baie-Comeau, Que.

PERSONAL

Fractured two vertebraes in a motorcross accident in 2010 which damaged his spinal cord which initially left him a paraplegic… After a two year rehab his condition improved…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 Canadian championships road race 1st

2019 Canadian championships time trial 1st

2018 World Cup (CAN) road race 6th

2018 World Cup (CAN) time trial 6th

ÉVELYNE GAGNON | PARA CYCLING (PILOT)

DOB March 7, 1991 (28 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Chicoutimi, Que. HOMETOWN Quebec City RESIDENCE Quebec City HEIGHT - COACH Sébastien Travers LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Pilot, B CLASSIFICATION

Évelyne Gagnon is in her third season as the pilot for visually impaired cyclist Annie Bouchard.

PERSONAL

Works as a pharmacist in Quebec City.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 World Cup (BEL) road race 9th

2019 World Cup (SPA) time trial 5th

2019 World Cup (SPA) road race 6th

MATTHEW KINNIE | PARA CYCLING

DOB July 27, 1983 (36 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Fredericton, N.B. HOMETOWN Riverview, N.B. RESIDENCE Riverview, N.B. HEIGHT 185 cm COACH Phil Abbott LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Paralysis, H2 CLASSIFICATION

Matt Kinnie turned to Para sports after a rock climbing accident left him paralyzed from the chest down in 2005. Kinnie loved the outdoors and was also studying engineering at the University of New Brunswick. He completed his engineering degree in 2007 and worked full time for 10 years. He has developed into Canada’s top racer in the H2 handcycling category. He is also passionate about Para sport and is the president of Parasport New Brunswick.

In 2017, 2018 and 2019, he swept gold in the time trial and road race at the Canadian championships.

PERSONAL

A rock climbing accident left him with a spinal cord injury in his neck. He is paralyzed from the chest down, with limited hand function…. Married to Melanie and they have twin girls… Works in business development for Tango Medical…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 Canadian Championships road 1st

2019 Canadian Championships time trial 1st

2018 World Cup (CAN) time trial 6th

2018 World Cup (CAN) road race 8th

MEGHAN LEMISKI | PARA CYCLING (PILOT)

DOB June 25, 1981 (38 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE HOMETOWN Edmonton, AB RESIDENCE - COACH

GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, N/A, Pilot CLASSIFICATION

Lemiski is the pilot for Carla Shibley, racing on a tandem bike. Lima 2019 will be her first major Games appearance in Para sport.

MARIE-CLAUDE MOLNAR | PARA CYCLING @mariecmolnar

DOB October 2, 1983 BIRTHPLACE Greenfield Park, Que. HOMETOWN Lemoyne, Que. RESIDENCE Longueuil, Que. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 157 cm/56 kg COACH Eric Van den Eynde LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY Guadalajara 2011, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, C4 CLASSIFICATION

Two-time Paralympian Marie-Claude Molnar has been cycling since she was three years old. To her, sport represents self-accomplishment; it has helped her push her limits and allows her to explore her own capabilities.

In 2005, Molnar suffered a fractured skull and other serious injuries when was struck by a car measured to be travelling at 110km/h. She describes herself as a go-getter and realizes that to attain her goals she must believe in herself, create her own opportunities and simply try.

A former hockey player, Molnar says that her greatest challenge has been cycling itself. She says, “Cycling is a complex sport compared to what people may think; it involves a lot of strategy, tactics, handling skills and specific knowledge.”

Molnar started to compete at World Championships and World Cups in 2009 after being crowned the road race and time trial at her Canadian championships debut. A World Cup road champion in 2012 and a multiple UCI overall champion, she has also received numerous awards to honor her performances.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Two-time Paralympic and Parapan Am Games team member… Bronze medal in individual pursuit at 2011 Parapan Am Games…Bronze medal in time trial at 2012 Paralympic Games…2013 World Championships silver medallist…World Cup winner in 2012… Maintained an average speed of 40 km/h in a time trial in 2013… Multiple Canadian champion.

PERSONAL

Studied DEC Communications at Conservatoire Lasalle in Montreal.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships time trial 5th 2018 World Championships road race 7th 2018 World Track Championships 500m time trial 8th 2018 World Track Championships individual pursuit 4th 2018 World Track Championships scratch race 3rd 2017 World Championships road race 6th 2017 World Championships time trial 5th 2017 World Track Championships individual pursuit 2nd 2017 World Track Championships 500m time trial 2nd 2017 World Track Championships scratch race 1st 2016 Paralympic Games individual pursuit 5th 2016 Paralympic Games time trial 5th 2016 Paralympic Games road race 8th 2016 World Cup (BEL) time trial 3rd 2016 World Championships individual pursuit 5th 2015 Parapan American Games mixed road race 5th 2015 World Cup (SWI) time trial 3rd 2015 World Cup (SWI) road race 4th 2015 World Cup (ITA) time trial 2nd 2015 World Cup (ITA) road race 3rd 2013 World Championships, road race 2nd 2013 World Championships, road race 2nd 2012 Paralympic Games, time trial, 3rd 2012 Paralympic Games, pursuit 4th 2011 Parapan American Games, ind. pursuit 3rd 2011 Parapan American Games, 500-m time trial 4th

100

RICO MORNEAU | PARA CYCLING

DOB October 17, 1962 (56 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal HOMETOWN Saint-Charles-Borromée, Que. RESIDENCE Saint-Charles-Borromée, Que. HEIGHT 178 cm COACH Sébastien Travers LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY 2011 Guadalajara, 2008 Beijing

DISABILITY TYPE, Paraplegic, Handcyclist CLASSIFICATION

Rico Morneau returns to the Canadian national Para cycling scene as a member of the squad for the 2019 Parapan American Games. This season he competed at the Canadian championships and was a member of the World Cup team in Belgium.

The handcyclist competed at the 2011 Parapan Ams in Mexico where he earned a bronze in the time trial. He posted two ninth place finish at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

PERSONAL

A car accident in 2004 left him paralyzed from the waist down… Worked a roadie before his accident for major concert acts such as Céline Dion… His father was an injured WWII veteran.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2011 Parapan American Games time trial 3rd

2008 Paralympic Games road race 9th

2008 Paralympic Games time trial 9th

101

MICHAEL SHETLER | PARA CYCLING

DOB November 16, 1960 (58 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal HOMETOWN Pointe-Claire, Que. RESIDENCE Pointe-Claire, Que. HEIGHT - COACH Sébastien Travers LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Ataxia, Tricycle T2 CLASSIFICATION

A violent bike accident on Labour Day 2012 left Michael Shetler with a traumatic brain injury which put him in a coma for three weeks. Before the accident, Shetler was a long-distance triathlon competitor who had completed three Ironman events. The founder of the Pointe- Claire Mansfield Athletic Centre took up Para cycling, specifically the tricycle event, in 2015 and enjoyed immediate success.

The improvement has continued and in 2019 he cracked the top-10 at a World Cup race in Belgium and won the national road race title.

PERSONAL

Diagnosed with Ataxia after a bike accident in 2013 which affects balance, coordination and cognitive issues… Volunteers with the Shelley Gautier Para-Sports Foundation.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 Canadian championships time trial 1st

2019 World Cup (BEL) time trial 9th

102

CARLA SHIBLEY | PARA CYCLING

DOB September 19, 1990 (28 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Calgary HOMETOWN Calgary RESIDENCE Calgary HEIGHT 152 cm COACH Phil Abbott LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Visually impaired CLASSIFICATION

Carla Shibley was involved in numerous sports as a youngster but at age 10 she was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease which left her visually impaired. She would eventually tun to Para sport first with goalball and then she started Para cycling in tandem in 2015. Since then, she has gradually climbed the Canadian ranks. She is on Cycling Canada’s NextGen squad and her goal is to compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games.

At the 2019 Canadian championships she won the gold medal in the road race and added a silver in the time trial.

PERSONAL

Diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease at age 10.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 Canadian Championships road 1st

2019 Canadian Championships time trial 2nd

2018 World Cup (CAN) time trial 5th

2018 World Cup (CAN) road race 5th

103

LOWELL TAYLOR | PARA CYCLING

DOB November 13, 1981 (37 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Didsbury, Alberta HOMETOWN Lethbridge, Alta. RESIDENCE Lethbridge, Alta. HEIGHT 187 cm COACH Phil Abbott LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Visually impaired CLASSIFICATION

Lowell Taylor learned he had the talent to be an elite athlete when he attended a Canadian Paralympic Committee Paralympian Search event in 2015. As a member of Cycling Canada’s NextGen squad he’ll have his first taste of a major Games in Lima and hopes to be on the Team Canada squad for Tokyo 2020.

In 2019 at the Canadian championships, Lowell won gold in the time trial and silver in the road race

PERSONAL

Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) which has required him to adjust to decreasing sight his entire life…. First visually impaired contestant in Amazing Race Canada in 2016…. He is a registered psychologist and provides counselling, coaching and consultation… Since 2017 has been a Health and Wellness coach on Mind, Set, Go, a TV documentary series on AMI… Has a Masters of Arts from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 Canadian Championships road 2nd

2019 Canadian Championships time trial 1st

2019 World Cup (BEL) road race 9th

104

105

106

PARA JUDO

In Para judo, visually impaired athletes compete in various weight categories for men and women. There are two main differences between Para judo and Olympic judo: combatants have contact with each other at the start of the match and the mat has a different texture.

The athletes try to execute a perfect technique which scores an immediate win (ippon – a perfect point in Japanese), or to score more points than one’s opponent. Lesser scores can be awarded when a technique does not merit an ippon. If neither judoka completes an ippon by the end of the five-minute match, the winner is the one with the highest score.

The key elements of Para judo are balance, touch proprioception, and combative instinct, all of which are highly developed qualities possessed by athletes with a visual impairment. Competitive Para judo demands extreme physical and strategic performance and competitors must use different techniques to overcome or immobilize their opponent.

A combatant must combine quick moves with strength and agility in order to score points. Athletes must maintain balance and reaction while countering an opponent’s rush. Point- scoring moves in attack and counterattack. Throwing techniques and ground holds include hold downs, arm locks, and choke holds. Kicking and punching are not permitted.

Para judo was first included on the Paralympic program at the 1988 Seoul Games. Women’s events were added to the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. The sport is now widely practiced by male and female athletes in more than 40 countries. Canada has won four bronze medals at the Paralympic Games including three by Pier Morten.

At the 2015 Parapan Am Games in Toronto, Canada won two medals including a silver for Priscilla Gagné in women’s 52 kilos.

Para judo is governed by the International Blind Sports Federation and follows the International Judo Federation rules used at other top-level, able-bodied judo events, with slight modifications for athletes with a visual impairment. Canada’s National Sport Organization for the sport is Judo Canada.

107

PRISCILLA GAGNÉ | PARA JUDO @PGagne86

DOB May 21, 1986 (33 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Granby, Que. HOMETOWN Sarnia, Ont. RESIDENCE Montreal, Que. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 160 cm / 52 kg COACHES Andrzej Sadej LANGUAGES English, French GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment (retinitis CLASSIFICATION pigmentosa), B1

Priscilla Gagné earned her first major title in 2018 when she won the women's 52 kilos title at the Pan Am Para judo championships in Calgary.

She produced her first big international success in judo in 2015 when she won the bronze medal at a Para judo World Cup in Hungary which featured nearly 200 competitors from 31 countries. A few weeks later she added a silver at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games. The following season she was fifth in her Paralympic Games debut.

Gagné was born in Granby, Que. but moved to Sarnia, Ont. at age three. She was initially involved in wrestling but decided to switch to judo in 2010 because there were more competitive opportunities.

In 2011, she suffered a major injury when she broke both her feet in the same bout at a tournament in Whitby, Ont. This kept her off the mat for eight months, but she eventually came back better than ever.

In 2013, Gagné moved to Ottawa where she joined the renowned Takahashi Dojo where she trained under former national team judoka and 1996 Olympian Nathalie Gosselin.

She is now based in Montreal and trains at the Judo Canada National Training Centre located at the INS Quebec.

108

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Crowned Pan Am champion in 2018... Competed at her first Paralympic Games in 2016... Won her first World Cup medal in February 2015… Silver at 2015 Parapan Am Games in Toronto…Silver in the 2016 IBSA World Cup in Germany… Bronze in the 2016 IBSA World Cup in Brazil and bronze in the 2016 IBSA World Cup in England… Competed at 2014 and 2015 World Championships.

PERSONAL

Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa… Started judo in 2008 after practicing karate… Moved to Sarnia at age three from Granby after parents separated… Graduated from the evangelism program at Rhema Bible College in Oklahoma… Also graduated from Everest College’s addictions and community services worker program in Barrie, Ont.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 IBSA International Qualifier 52 kilos – 2nd 2018 Pan Am Championships 52 kilos – 1st 2016 Paralympic Games 52 kilos – 5th 2016 British Grand Prix 52 kilos – 3rd 2016 IBSA German World Cup 52 kilos – 2nd 2016 IBSA World Cup Brazil – 3rd 2015 Parapan Ams 52 kilos – 2nd 2015 IBDA World Cup Hungary 52 kilos – 3rd 2014 German Open 52 kilos – 2nd 2014 Brazil Open 52 kilos – 2nd

109

JUSTIN KARN | PARA JUDO

DOB June 16, 1981 (38 years old in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Guelph, Ont. HOMETOWN Fergus, Ont. RESIDENCE Montreal, Que. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 165 cm / 60 kg COACHES Andrzej Sadej LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, London 2012, Guadalajara 2011 DISABILITY TYPE, Visual impairment (aniridia), CLASSIFICATION B3

In 2018, Justin Karn won the gold medal in the men’s 60 kilos at the Pan Am Championships just a week after his father passed away.

Also involved in swimming and wrestling, Karn took up judo at the age of 13, at the Brantford, Ontario school for the blind. The Guelph native immediately loved the sport, which requires strength, endurance, and great coordination.

Among Karn’s other great accomplishments is ranking seventh in the 60kg category at the London Paralympic Games in 2012. As a judoka in the B3 class for athletes with a visual disability, Karn also won the bronze at the Guadalajara Parapan American Games in 2011. His objective is to compete at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020, where he hopes to get his hands on a medal.

Karn trains under Andrzej Sadej at the Institut national du sport in Montreal.

Karn is a former Petro-Canada FACE athlete, class of 2013.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Competed at the 2012 Paralympic Games… Won a bronze medal at the 2011 Parapan Am Games… Also competed at the 2015 Parapan Am Games in Toronto and 2015 World Championships.

PERSONAL

Karn has many passions outside of judo. He is learning Swedish and he loves cooking and playing the guitar. He is also planning to go back to school in the future.

110

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 IBSA International Qualifier 60 kilos – 7th 2018 Pan Am Championships 60 kilos – 1st 2015 Parapan Am Games 60 kilos – 9th 2015 World Championships 60 kilos – 7th 2012 Paralympic Games 60 kilos – 7th 2011 Parapan Am Games 60 kilos – 3rd

111

112

113

PARA SWIMMING

Para swimming features athletes with physical, visual and intellectual impairments. Events are the freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, individual medley and relays.

A FINA (the international governing body for swimming) standard eight-lane 50-metre pool is required for competition at the Paralympic and Parapan American Games. Events are conducted in heats of eight competitors per class. The fastest eight swimmers per class compete in the finals.

Depending on their disability, swimmers can start in the water, from a dive start sitting on the starting platform, or from the typical standing start. Blind and visually impaired swimmers are required to wear blackened goggles and have an assistant (called a “tapper”) to help (tap) them as they approach the pool end wall to make turns or finish the race.

Canada has enjoyed enormous international success in Para swimming. Michael Edgson and Tim McIsaac both won 21 Paralympic medals in their careers while Benoit Huot has 20 and Stephanie Dixon has 19.

At the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, Para swimming was Canada’s most successful sport with 24 gold, 38 silver, and 28 bronze.

Classification

The sport class names in swimming consist of a prefix “S” or “SB” and a number. The prefixes stand for the strokes and the number indicates the sport classes.

S: freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events

SB: breaststroke

SM: individual medley. The prefix “SM” is given to athletes competing in individual medley events.

S1-S10

There are 10 different sport classes for athletes with a physical disability, numbered 1-10. A lower number indicates a more severe activity limitation than a higher number.

Athletes with different impairments compete against each other, because sport classes are allocated based on the impact the impairment has on swimming, rather than on the impairment itself. Due to the different demands of S and SB events, swimmers are often allocated different S and SB sport classes.

114

S11-13

Athletes with a visual impairment compete in three sport classes from S11, S12, S13 (B1, B2, B3). In order to ensure a fair competition, athletes in the S/SB11 sport class are required to wear blackened goggles. To ensure safety all S/SB11 swimmers must use a tapper, while swimmers in the S/SB12 and S/SB13 sport classes may choose whether to use one.

S14

S14 swimmers have an intellectual disability, which typically leads to the athletes having difficulties with regards to pattern recognition, sequencing, and memory, or having a slower reaction time, which impacts on sport performance in general. Moreover, S14 swimmers show a higher number of strokes relative to their speed than able-bodied elite swimmers.

The governing body is the International Paralympic Committee and the sport is also coordinated by the IPC Swimming Technical Committee, which uses FINA rules. Swimming Canada is the National Sport Organization.

115

CALEB ARNDT | PARA SWIMMING

DOB May 23, 2002 (17 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Barrie, Ont. HOMETOWN Newmarket, Ont. RESIDENCE Newmarket, Ont. HEIGHT 177 cm COACH/ CLUB Mike Finch, Alan Swanston / W.Ross Macdonald Swimming LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, Visually impaired CLASSIFICATION

Caleb Arndt learned to swim in his backyard pool. He joined his first club at age 14. Not long after, he raced at his first high school meet and that’s when he realized just how much he loved to race and be in a competitive environment.

The Parapan Am Games will be his first big international competition.

PERSONAL

He has one brother Caden.

116

NICHOLAS BENNETT | PARA SWIMMING

DOB November 15, 2003 (15 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Victoria HOMETOWN Parksville, B.C. RESIDENCE Parksville, B.C. HEIGHT 183 cm COACH/ CLUB Byron Trajan / Ravensong Aquatic Club LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, S14 CLASSIFICATION

In April 2019, Nicholas Bennett received the Male Para Swim of the Meet at the Canadian Swimming Trials for his golden performance in the S14 200m freestyle. He broke the Canadian record in that race as well as in the 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley. He finished the competition with a gold, three silver and a bronze in the multi-class races.

A week later at the Canadian Western Championships, he was the top swimmer in his class in six events.

At the 2018 Canadian Swimming Trials, he won four medals and lowered national S14 marks in the 50m free, 100 free and 50 breaststroke. The competition was to determine the Canadian team for the Para Pan Pacific Championships, but at 14, Bennett was too young to be on the team.

117

JACOB BRAYSHAW | PARA SWIMMING

DOB October 17, 2002 (16 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Hamilton, Ont. HOMETOWN Coldstream, B.C. RESIDENCE Coldstream, B.C. HEIGHT 176 cm COACH/ CLUB Renate Terpstra / KISU Swim Club LANGUAGE English, French GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, Muscular dystrophy, S2 CLASSIFICATION

Jacob Brayshaw was one of the pleasant surprises at the Canadian Swimming Trials in April 2019. He won gold in the 50m breaststroke and silver in the 50m backstroke multi-class races. In addition, he lowered Canadian S2 records in the 50 back and 100 back.

In December 2018, he won gold in the 50m breaststroke and lowered the Canadian record in the 200m freestyle at the Can-Am meet in Tucson, Arizona.

He started swimming competitively at age 13 and got into the sport for exercise. As of May 2019, he holds 11 Canadian records in the S2 class.

PERSONAL

Diagnosed with a form of congenital muscular dystrophy called Ullrich Myopothy, which causes a stagnation of his muscle growth…. Also enjoys power soccer.

118

COLLEEN CLOËTTA | PARA SWIMMING

DOB May 11, 2005 (14 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal HOMETOWN Montreal RESIDENCE Montreal HEIGHT 137 cm COACH/ CLUB Etienne Paquet / Pointe-Claire Swim Club LANGUAGE English, French GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, Short stature CLASSIFICATION

Colleen Cloëtta started swimming at age four and joined her first competitive team at 10. She has been a member of the Pointe-Claire Swim Club her entire career. She is one of six siblings, all of whom are involved in sport. She says her older brother Connor is her biggest influence because he introduced her to sports.

PERSONAL

Has two brothers and three sisters between the ages of eighth and 17… Has competed at World Dwarf Games.

119

ARIANNA HUNSICKER | PARA SWIMMING

DOB August 8, 2003 (16 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton HOMETOWN Surrey, B.C. RESIDENCE Surrey, B.C. HEIGHT 174 cm COACH/ CLUB Dave Geary / Surrey Knights Swim Club LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, Hand disability S10 CLASSIFICATION

Arianna Hunsicker took swimming lessons at age eight, joined her first club at 12 and started competitive swimming in 2017. She has always been a member of the Surrey Club.

Canadian Paralympic champion and world record holder Aurélie Rivard is her idol. Like Hunsicker she has a hand disability and also competes in the S10 class. Hunsicker remembers competing against her at her first national competition in 2017. ‘’She was so much faster than me and I looked up to her.’’

Hunsicker enjoys her teammates and gains a lot of energy being around them. She says the sport has given her opportunities. When not in the pool Hunsicker works with War Amps Child Amputee Program (CHAMPS) mentoring younger kids in the organisation.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Won five medals at 2017 Canada Games… Bronze medal at international meet in Poland in 2018.

PERSONAL

Born with partial left hand… Greys Anatomy is her favorite TV show and has inspired her to pursue a career in medicine.

120

TYSON MACDONALD | PARA SWIMMING @Tmacswims14

DOB August 14, 1996 (23 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Woodstock, Ont. HOMETOWN Tillsonburg, Ont. RESIDENCE Tillsonburg, Ont. HEIGHT 182 cm COACH/ CLUB Cathy Pardy / W. Ross Macdonald Swimming LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, S14 CLASSIFICATION

In February 2019, Tyson MacDonald was given his first international assignment when he competed at the season-opening World Series event in Melbourne, Australia.

He has been working his way through the swimming rankings since he began swimming competitively at the age of eight, including provincial championships and national championships. In his fourth year of swimming at Laurier, the 2016/17 team MVP has been going through multiple steps to reach the international level.

At the 2017 Canada Games in Winnipeg, MacDonald made headlines when he gave his bronze medal earned in the 100m butterfly to another competitor who had lost a bronze because of a technical glitch in a previous race.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Won five gold medals at 2017 Canada Games.

PERSONAL

MacDonald is in his fourth year at Wilfrid Laurier and is currently studying geography and anthropology. He also swims on the 20-member Golden Hawks team… He was named WLU’s swimming team MVP in 2016-17.

121

ANGELA MARINA | PARA SWIMMING

DOB April 27, 1999 (20 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Cambridge, Ont. HOMETOWN Cambridge, Ont. RESIDENCE Cambridge, Ont. HEIGHT 180 cm COACH/ CLUB Paul Armstrong / Brantford Aquatic Club LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, S14 CLASSIFICATION

At the 2018 Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships, Marina won gold and broke the Canadian record in the 200m freestyle S14. She also captured bronze in the 100m backstroke S14, and the 200m individual medley SM14.

Earlier that year at the Canadian Swimming Trials, Marina won the women’s Para multi- class 200m freestyle, and earned bronze in the 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly. Her performance qualified her for the Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships, her first senior national team.

At the 2017 Canada Summer Games, Marina won gold in the 100m and 200m freestyle and the 100m butterfly. She earned silver in the 50m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley and a bronze in the 100 breaststroke.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Three medals at the 2018 Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships… seven medals at the 2017 Canada Games.

122

CLÉMENCE PARÉ | PARA SWIMMING

DOB December 31, 2002 (16 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE St-Hyancinthe, Que. HOMETOWN Boucherville, Que. RESIDENCE Boucherville, Que. HEIGHT 115 cm COACH/ CLUB René Laroche / C.N. Mustang Boucherville LANGUAGE French, English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Short stature, S5 CLASSIFICATION

Clémence Paré produced a remarkable 2017-18 season with four Canadian long course records and four more in the short course pool. She won silver in the 50m backstroke at the Canadian Swimming Trials.

Paré stared swimming at the SAMAK Club in Brossard at age 10. Since the age of 13 she’s been under the helm of coach René Laroche at the C.N. Mustang Boucherville.

PERSONAL

Attends École secondaire De Mortagne in the sports studies program.

123

KRYSTAL SHAW | PARA SWIMMING @krystal_leesa

DOB February 14, 1994 (25 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Vancouver HOMETOWN Moose Jaw, Sask. RESIDENCE Regina HEIGHT 140 cm COACH/CLUB Jeff Toth / Swim Club LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, Arthrogryposis CLASSIFICATION

Krystal Shaw started swimming at age nine as she wanted to get involved in sport to help with her muscle development. At age 14 she competed at the Canada Games with the Saskatchewan provincial team where she won a bronze medal. In 2009, she was a member of Canada’s national Para swimming team and competed at the IPC World Championships that season.

She had to take a seven-year break from swimming at around age 15, after a blood clot developed in her leg and she was not allowed to swim. Seven years later she was cleared and has resumed her career.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2009 Canada Summer Games and IPC World Championships.

PERSONAL

Born with a joint disabling condition called arthrogryposis… Moose Jaw wheelchair basketball star Lisa Franks is one of her role models… She has a sister Stephanie… She works in sales at Access Communications.

124

MYRIAM SOLIMAN | PARA SWIMMING

DOB May 13, 1999 (20 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montréal HOMETOWN St-Hubert, Que. RESIDENCE St-Hubert, Que. HEIGHT 159 cm COACH/ CLUB René Laroche / C.N. Mustangs de Boucherville LANGUAGE English, French, Arabic GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, S7 CLASSIFICATION

Myriam Soliman started swimming at age eight as part of her rehabilitation program after her injury. She was named the top swimmer at the 2012 provincial championships and competed at the 2016 Paralympic Games Trials. A year later she swam for Team Quebec at the Canada Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2017 Canada Games.

PERSONAL

Currently attends CEGEP Édouard-Montpetit.

125

MICHELLE TOVIZI | PARA SWIMMING

DOB February 10, 2000 (19 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Toronto HOMETOWN Markham, Ont. RESIDENCE Markham, Ont. HEIGHT 152 cm COACH/ CLUB Eddie Toro / North York Aquatic Club LANGUAGE English, Hungarian GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, Cerebral palsy, S7, SB6, SM7 CLASSIFICATION

Michelle Tovizi started swimming on the recommendation of her parents in order to help her maintain and improve her physical ability. She enjoys the water, the competitions and the social aspect that the sport provides. Swimming brings Tovizi a sense of satisfaction and a desire to work harder to reach her goals.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Two fourth place finishes at 2018 CP World Games.

PERSONAL

Has a twin brother named Vince.

126

EMMA GRACE VAN DYK | PARA SWIMMING

DOB September 15, 2002 (16 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Hamilton, Ont. HOMETOWN Port Colborne, Ont. RESIDENCE Port Colborne, Ont. HEIGHT 160 cm COACH/ CLUB Beth Majtenyi/ Garden City Aquatic Club LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, S14 CLASSIFICATION

Emma started swimming at a young age as a form of physio then started taking lessons… Her first club was the Penhalm Swim Club coached by Rachel Kirkup. Also a rower, won a gold with her twin sister in junior doubles at the Ontario Championships… Worked at Parks Canada at Fort George as a player in 1812 War re-enactment… Has one brother and three sisters.

127

PATRICK WATERS | PARA SWIMMING

@patrickwaters

DOB October 2, 1985 (34 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Grande Prairie, Alta. HOMETOWN Kamloops, B.C. RESIDENCE Kamloops, B.C. HEIGHT COACH/ CLUB Emil Dimitrov / Kelowna Aquajets LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY None DISABILITY TYPE, Hip and foot disability SB9 CLASSIFICATION

In April 2019, Patrick Waters won a bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke on route to earning a spot on the Canadian team for the Parapan American Games.

Waters is a former national-level able-bodied swimmer. He switched to Para sport after a congenital birth defect, hip dysplasia, necessitated surgery to restructure both of his hip sockets in 2012. The changes in his hips shifted his pelvis and fractured a vertebra in his back, later requiring another surgery.

Out of the pool, Waters is a Certified Exercise Physiologist. He has worked with a wide range of athletes from beginner to elite and frequently lectures to athletes and parents in the areas of sports nutrition, and strength & conditioning.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Holds Canadian short course record in 200m breaststroke since 2015.

PERSONAL

Earned his bachelor’s degree in Food, Nutrition, Health & Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia.…. Exercise physiologist at Breeze Rehabilitation Consulting… Also competed in triathlons… Married with two children.

128

129

130

PARA TABLE TENNIS

Para table tennis is a sport that can be played standing or sitting. There are 11 competitive classes with classes 1-5 for wheelchair players and 6-10 for those who play standing, with lower numbers indicating a higher level of impairment. Class 11 is for players with an intellectual disability.

A match is a best of five sets, with each set won by the first player to reach 11 points. A two-point winning margin is required to win each set. The server changes every two points. Competitions take the form of preliminary rounds followed by knockout stages.

Table tennis appeared at the first Games in Rome in 1960, making it one of the original Paralympic sports. It was originally only open to wheelchair users; standing players were added in 1976, and athletes with cerebral palsy joined in 1980.

Canada has won nine medals in Paralympic Games table tennis competition. At the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada won one medal of each colour including gold for Stephanie Chan.

The governing body for table tennis is the International Table Tennis Federation. The National Sport Federation is Table Tennis Canada.

131

CURTIS CARON | PARA TABLE TENNIS

DOB March 7, 1998 (21 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Halifax HOMETOWN Dartmouth, N.S. RESIDENCE Dartmouth, N.S. HEIGHT 170 cm COACH John MacPherson LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY 2015 Toronto

DISABILITY TYPE, Class 8 CLASSIFICATION

Curtis Caron was a late addition to the 2015 Parapan American Games team in Toronto and helped Canada to silver in the team event. Since then highlights for Caron include gold in singles at the 2017 Parapan American Youth Games and a victory in the team event at the Copa Christina Hoffman tournament in Mexico in 2019.

Caron says he wouldn’t be playing table tennis if it wasn’t for his coach John MacPherson who invited him to his club to try the sport. MacPherson said Caron reminded him of himself because they have a similar disability.

MacPherson says Caron has a talent for the game with an incredible touch and can go far in the sport.

Caron was a Petro-Canada FACE grant recipient, class of 2017 and 2018.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2015 Parapan American Games… 2015 Canada Games with Nova Scotia’s able-bodied team…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2015 Parapan American Games – Team 2nd

132

STEPHANIE CHAN | PARA TABLE TENNIS

DOB July 30, 1957 (62 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Hong Kong HOMETOWN Vancouver, B.C. RESIDENCE Richmond, B.C. HEIGHT 165 cm COACH Chang Chun Yu LANGUAGE English, Cantonese, Mandarin GAMES HISTORY Gold Coast 2018, Rio 2016, Toronto 2015, Guadalajara 2011, Rio 2007 DISABILITY TYPE, Class 7 CLASSIFICATION

Chim-Hing (Stephanie) Chan earned her ticket to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in August 2015 when she won the gold medal in women’s class 7 singles at the Parapan American Games in Toronto.

In Rio, she won two of her three matches in the preliminary round to advance to the semifinals. She lost the bronze medal match and placed fourth. Chan was third at the 2017 Pan Am Championships and in 2018 competed at the Commonwealth Games.

Chan’s win in Toronto wasn’t her only historic victory in 2015. Chan joined forces with Turkey’s Kubra Ocsoy to take gold in the team event at the 2015 Bayreuth Open in Germany and become the first Canadian to win an event on the top European circuit. She added a bronze in singles.

Having had a personal interest in the sport since she was a child, Chan decided to take up table tennis to keep active. The feeling of defeating challenging opponents is what feeds Chan’s desire to compete and reach higher levels. She credits her success to her hard work and positive attitude.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 Paralympic Games… 2007, 2011, 2015 Parapan Am Games…Four-time Parapan American Games medallist.

133

PERSONAL

When Chan is not playing table tennis, she enjoys swimming, cooking and spending time with her family… She is married with one son… Chan acquired her disability at age four, but only began playing table tennis at the age of 44.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2016 Paralympic Games 4th singles 2015 Parapan American Games 1st singles 2015 Bayreuth Open 1st team 2015 Bayreuth Open 3rd singles 2011 Parapan Am Games 2nd singles 2007 Parapan Am Games 2nd singles 2007 Parapan Am Games 3rd open

134

STEVEN DUNN | PARA TABLE TENNIS

DOB July 16, 1980 (39 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Halifax HOMETOWN Dartmouth, N.S. RESIDENCE Halifax HEIGHT 173 cm COACHES John MacPherson LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015

DISABILITY TYPE, Quadriplegic Class 3 CLASSIFICATION

Steven Dunn was introduced to table tennis by Canadian national coach John MacPherson. It happened at the 2011 Canada Games where Dunn was a sport manager for wheelchair basketball. MacPherson invited Dunn to join one of the table tennis clubs he was starting up and Dunn has been there ever since.

Dunn played for Team Canada in wheelchair rugby and was a member of the fourth-place squad at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. He also tried out for the wheelchair basketball national team. He found table tennis to be much more difficult than anticipated.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2015 Parapan American Games.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2015 Parapan Am Games team preliminary round

2000 Paralympic Games 4th (wheelchair rugby)

135

PETER ISHERWOOD | PARA TABLE TENNIS

DOB April 23, 1977 (42 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Sydney, N.S. HOMETOWN Dartmouth, N.S. RESIDENCE Vancouver HEIGHT 178 cm COACHES John MacPherson LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, Quadriplegic, Class 2 CLASSIFICATION

After his injury, Peter Isherwood’s first sport was wheelchair rugby. He excelled to the point that he was named to Canada’s NextGen program, one step from the national team.

He then moved on to athletics as a thrower and wheelchair tennis in which he cracked the world’s top-100 in doubles and singles.

In 2019, he is ranked 54th in the world in singles class 2 table tennis. In 2018, he won the silver medal in singles and bronze in the team event at the COPA Tango tournament in Argentina.

PERSONAL

Broke his back while mountain biking and was diagnosed as a quadriplegic… Played lacrosse at university.

136

IAN KENT | PARA TABLE TENNIS @IJKentTokyo2020

DOB July 4, 1961 (58 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Welling, Kent County, England HOMETOWN Eastern Passage, N.S. RESIDENCE Eastern Passage, N.S. HEIGHT 180 cm COACHES John MacPherson LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Gold Coast 2018, Toronto 2015, Guadalajara 2011, Rio 2007, Beijing 2008 DISABILITY TYPE, Dystonia, Class 8 CLASSIFICATION

Ian Kent makes his third appearance at the Parapan Am Games in Lima. He helped Canada to the silver in the team event and added a bronze in singles. At the 2011 Games, he won gold in singles and silver in doubles, and in 2007 it was silver in both the singles and team events.

A former able-bodied table tennis national team coach, Kent has been playing the sport virtually his entire life.

Since Toronto, he has competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and won the U.S. Open men’s singles title that same year overcoming a 0-2 deficit in games in the final. In 2019 at the Copa Christina Hoffman tournament in Cancun, Mexico he notched gold in the team event and silver in singles.

In 1999, at the age of 38, Kent was diagnosed with dystonia, a movement disorder in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. He was bed-ridden for nearly two years before the cause was diagnosed. He returned to table tennis in 2001 and in 2003, he entered the world of Paralympic table tennis.

137

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games … 2008 Paralympic Games… Won the able- bodied Atlantic Men’s Open Singles title in five different decades… As soccer coach at Dalhousie University from 1991 to 1998, he won the Atlantic University Championship five times and won a national title in 1995.

PERSONAL

Moved to Canada with his parents as a child… Father of three boys, now adults… Holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in mathematics and a minor in psychology from Saint Mary’s University… His mother is a former British track athlete.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2015 Parapan American Games – Team 2nd 2015 Parapan American Games – Singles 3rd 2011 Parapan American Games – Singles 1st 2011 Parapan American Games – Doubles 2nd 2008 Paralympic Games – Singles 12th 2007 Parapan American Games – Singles 2nd 2007 Parapan American Games – Team 2nd

138

139

PARA TAEKWONDO

Para taekwondo was introduced as a full member of the International Paralympic Committee in 2015. Later that same year, the Canadian Paralympic Committee welcomed Taekwondo Canada as a member sport.

Para taekwondo will make its Parapan Am Games debut in Lima 2019 and its Paralympic Games debut at Tokyo 2020.

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) conducts Para taekwondo competitions in two disciplines: Kyorugi (sparring) and Poomsae (martial art forms).

In 2009, the first WTF Para taekwondo World Championships were held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Participation in the world championships has been growing steadily.

Also in 2009, Taekwondo Canada held its first Canadian National Para Taekwondo Championship, sharing a fully integrated event with the annual Canadian Championship.

Canada’s sole Para taekwondo athlete in Lima, Anthony Cappello (K43), won bronze at the 2017 World Championships and silver at the 2019 worlds.

Taekwondo has become an activity with great benefits for individuals with a large range of abilities – from physical to intellectual to sensory disabilities.

For more information on Para taekwondo please visit Taekwondo Canada and the World Taekwondo Federation.

140

ANTHONY CAPPELLO | PARA TAEKWONDO

DOB November 28, 1990 (28 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal HOMETOWN St-Constant, Que. RESIDENCE Montreal WEIGHT 53 kg COACH/ CLUB Raymond Mourad / Raymond Mourad Taekwondo Inc. LANGUAGE English, French GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Disability in both arms CLASSIFICATION K43 M-61 kg

At the 2019 world championships, Anthony Cappello battled through one of the toughest paths to the finals of the men’s lightweight 61kg weight class, to win the silver medal. He also earned a bronze in his worlds debut in 2017. At both worlds, he lost his last match to Bopha Kong of France.

Capello’s 61kg weight class is one of 12 divisions selected to participate in Para taekwondo’s Paralympic debut at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. The newest Paralympic sport has been experiencing rapid growth over the last two three years. With nearly 70 nations hitting the mat at the 2019 world championships, it is nearly double the amount of countries from the last world championships.

The sport will also make its Parapan American Games debut in August 2019 in Lima, Peru, with Cappello the first athlete to represent Canada in the sport at the Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2019: silver medal and named tournament MVP at world championships… 2017: bronze at world championships.

PERSONAL

Cappello was born with both his arms much shorter than average, his left arm didn’t have an elbow and has two fingers on each hand… Works with family construction firm… Started taekwondo as a youngster… Also played soccer.

141

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2019 World Championships K43 M-61 kg 2nd

2017 World Championships K43 M-61 kg 3rd

2017 Pan American Championships K43 M-61 kg 2nd

2016 Pan American Championships K43 M-61 kg 3rd

142

143

144

SITTING VOLLEYBALL

Men and women compete separately in sitting volleyball at major Games. The teams are composed mainly of leg amputees while two players on each team may have an impairment that appears minimal but prevents them from competing in the able-bodied version of the sport. Apart from the players being seated, the other major differences are a smaller court, lower net, and players must always keep contact with floor at all times except when making a defensive play in the back or front zones.

Each match is a best-of-five sets. The first four sets go to 25 points while a fifth and deciding set goes to 15. In all sets, the margin of victory must be at least two points. There are 12 players to a team, with six players on a court per time at a time.

The court is divided into two sides of five metres deep by six metres wide. The net height, lower than that of standing volleyball, is set at a height of 1.15 metres for men, and 1.05 metres for women.

Canada competed for the first time in sitting volleyball at the Paralympic Games in 2016 with the women’s team placing seventh. They qualified for the Games with a third-place finish at the 2015 Parapan Ams in Toronto. The men were also third in Toronto but needed a top-two for a ticket to Rio.

World ParaVolley is the International Sport Federation, with Volleyball Canada governing at the national level.

145

ANGELENA DOLEZAR | SITTING VOLLEYBALL @adolezar

DOB, AGE AT RIO June 12, 1985 (34 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE St. Albert, Alta. HOMETOWN Edmonton, Alta. RESIDENCE Edmonton, Alta. HEIGHT 165 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGES English, French GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Angelena Dolezar injured her leg while being pulled in a tube by a motor boat in 2013. After a few weeks, doctors were forced to amputate her left leg above the knee.

In 2014, Dolezar was the first Canadian fitted with a symbionic leg. The advanced prosthetic auto-adjusts to ramps and hills, which helps her maintain an active lifestyle.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships… 2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL

Administrative coordinator with Alberta Health Services and a teacher for Edmonton Public Schools in French immersion.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 7th 2016 Paralympic Games 7th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

146

DANIELLE ELLIS | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB November 17, 1991 (27 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE White Rock, B.C. HOMETOWN White Rock, B.C. RESIDENCE Langley, B.C. HEIGHT 180 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Like her teammate Leanne Muldrew, Danielle Ellis made a return to the national women’s sitting volleyball team this season after a few years away, and earned a berth on Team Canada for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio where they placed seventh.

Canada’s women’s sitting volleyball team made history in Rio, as it marked the first time ever that Canada qualified a sitting volleyball team to compete at the Paralympic Games.

Ellis was on the Canadian squad from 2008 to 2012. After falling short in qualifying for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Ellis focused on her studies attending the Justice Institute of B.C. in New Westminster, B.C. where she studied to become a paramedic. She now works with B.C. Ambulance in Langley.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2016 Paralympic Games… 2008-2012 national team member

PERSONAL Lost her right leg below the knee due to cancer as an infant… Born to parents heavily involved in sport, she participated in gymnastics, soccer, baseball, volleyball as a youngster… Currently works as a dispatcher with B.C. Ambulance in Langley.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 7th 2016 Paralympic Games 7th 2011 Parapan Am Paralympic Qualifier 3rd

147

ANNE FERGUSSON | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB October 11, 1995 (23 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Smith Falls, Ont. HOMETOWN Carleton Place, Ont. RESIDENCE Carleton Place, Ont. HEIGHT 163 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015 DISABILITY TYPE, Missing left hand CLASSIFICATION

Anne Fergusson was born without her left hand but that hasn’t prevented her from being active in sport her entire life. She was involved in several sports through her youth and was introduced to sitting volleyball while in high school.

“My family has always been active and involved in different sports,” she said.

Fergusson made her national team debut at the 2015 Parapan Am Games in Toronto.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships… 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL

In 2017, she graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in mechanical engineering, then got her Graduate Diploma in Business at Smith.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 7th 2015 Parapan Am Games 3rd

148

JULIE KOZUN | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB December 23, 1999 (19 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Saskatoon HOMETOWN Melfort, Sask. RESIDENCE Melfort, Sask. HEIGHT 165 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

A volleyball player in high school, Julie Kozun thought she would never play again after she lost part of her left leg in a riding lawn-mower accident at age 15. However within three years she was on Canada’s sitting volleyball team at the 2018 World Championships. In 2019 she is the youngest member on the Canadian women’s sitting squad for the Parapan American Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships.

PERSONAL

Agro-business student at the University of Saskatchewan… Involved in the War Amps program as a Safety Ambassador.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 7th

149

SARAH MELENKA | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB November 9, 1998 (20 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton HOMETOWN Vegreville, Alta. RESIDENCE Edmonton HEIGHT 174 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Leg disability CLASSIFICATION

After being diagnosed with compartment syndrome at age 15 which required 10 surgeries on her right leg, Sarah Melenka never gave up on her dream to become a high-performance athlete.

Not only is she a member of Canada’s national sitting volleyball team, she’s spent the past two seasons with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)’s women’s volleyball varsity team.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships.

PERSONAL

Studies personal fitness training at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)… Also competed in track and field.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 7th

150

JENNIFER OAKES | SITTING VOLLEYBALL @oakes_jennifer

DOB February 4, 1998 (21 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Calgary, Alta. HOMETOWN Calgary, Alta. RESIDENCE Calgary, Alta. HEIGHT 180 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Below-knee amputee CLASSIFICATION

Jennifer Oakes suffered a serious leg injury in 2015 when she fell off the front of a boat and her right leg was sliced by the boat’s propeller. Her leg was amputated below the knee later on in surgery. Despite such a life shock, Oakes was back training for volleyball by October, this time as a sitting player, at a national team training camp.

A top-level club player for four years before her injury, Oakes made the necessary adjustments to become competitive in the sitting game and earned her spot on Team Canada for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships… 2016 Paralympic Games.

PERSONAL

She graduated high school in 2016… student at UBC-Okanagan… has two older sisters.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 7th

2016 Paralympic Games 7th

151

PAYDEN OLSEN | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB September 29, 1998 (20 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Cardston, Alta. HOMETOWN Cardston, Alta. RESIDENCE Cardston, Alta. HEIGHT COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY DISABILITY TYPE, Right foot amputee CLASSIFICATION

Just a year after losing her right foot in a riding lawn mower accident, Payden Olsen undertook an aggressive rehabilitation process to be part of Canada’s women’s sitting volleyball team for the 2019 Parapan American Games.

Olsen is no stranger to high level athletics. Before her accident, she played soccer with the Lethbridge College Kodiaks and was named Newcomer of the Year in her rookie season in 2017.

152

HEIDI PETERS | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB October 12, 1994 (24 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton, Alta. HOMETOWN Neerlandia, Alta. RESIDENCE Neerlandia, Alta. HEIGHT 177 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Heidi Peters was Canada’s leading scorer and eighth overall, with 30 points at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games. That performance helped Canada win the bronze medal and a berth at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games where it placed seventh.

Peters played high school volleyball before she faced cancer at age 16. Four years later, Peters emerged victorious from her battle and returned to the athletic lifestyle she enjoyed prior to her illness.

Peters was invited to try sitting volleyball by national team member Jolan Wong while in treatment. Peters found the sport faster than she expected and the movements difficult to master. But she capitalized on her advantages such as her height and ball control to gain a spot on the national squad, and made her debut at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2018 World Championships… 2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL

Graduated from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in photographic technology… At age 16 in 2011, Peters noticed a bump on her left shin and after several tests was diagnosed with bone cancer. In December of that year her left leg was amputated below the knee.

153

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 7th 2016 Paralympic Games 7th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

154

AMBER SKYRPAN | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB April 26, 1992 (27 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Lac La Biche, Alta. HOMETOWN Wandering River, Alta. RESIDENCE Plamondon, Alta. HEIGHT 158 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Amber Skyrpan discovered sitting volleyball at age 15 when Volleyball Canada contacted her high school coach. At 16, she tried the sport and enjoyed it immediately.

Skyrpan was born without a femur bone in her right leg. She played the standing game in high school but the sport became more difficult with higher level competition. She says sitting volleyball has given her the chance to “represent my country proudly, meet so many amazing people all while playing the sport I love.”

In 2015, she helped Canada win the bronze medal at the Parapan American Games in Toronto which clinched the team a berth at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. The Canadians were seventh in both Rio and the 2018 world championships

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games… 2010 and 2018 world championships

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 7th 2016 Paralympic Games 7th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd 2010 World Championships 12th

155

FELICIA VOSS-SHAFIQ | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB April 25, 1980 (39 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Suva, Fiji HOMETOWN Burnaby, B.C. RESIDENCE Burnaby, B.C. HEIGHT 178 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee and disability in right CLASSIFICATION hand

Felicia Voss-Shafiq made her national team debut on the Canadian sitting volleyball team at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games. She finished second in team scoring with 29 points as Canada won the bronze and qualified for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games where it placed seventh.

It was only in 2014 that Voss-Shafiq took up the sport on the recommendation of a physiotherapist. She played the able-bodied version of the sport at the recreational level before her illness. She admits she was quite surprised to be wearing a Team Canada jersey so quickly.

Voss-Shafiq is a below the knee amputee and also has a disability in her right hand caused by a serious illness that occurred in 2011.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships…2016 Paralympic Games…2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL Works in software support with SAP.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 7th 2016 Paralympic Games 7th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

156

JOLAN WONG | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB January 29, 1990 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton, Alta. HOMETOWN Vermilion, Alta. RESIDENCE Pembroke, Ont. HEIGHT 157 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Jolan Wong brings international experience to the women’s sitting volleyball team. She was a member of Team Canada at the 2010 and 2018 World Championships, the 2015 Parapan American Games and the 2016 Paralympic Games.

In 2015 at the Toronto Parapan American Games, she helped Canada to a bronze medal and as the team earned a berth for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships… 2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games…2010 World Championships.

PERSONAL Married with two children… Lost her leg due to bone cancer at age 13…. Was on the standing volleyball team with J.R. Robson High School Marauders for four years… Also participated in several sports through high school including cycling, standing amputee hockey and athletics

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 7th 2016 Paralympic Games 7th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd 2010 World Championships 12th

157

KATELYN WRIGHT | SITTING VOLLEYBALL @thekatelon

DOB January 3, 1990 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton, Alta. HOMETOWN Edmonton, Alta. RESIDENCE Edmonton, Alta. HEIGHT 163 cm COACH Nicole Ban LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Hard work and dedication earned Katelyn Wright a spot on the Canadian women’s sitting volleyball team for the Parapan American Games in Toronto. At the Games, she scored six service aces and helped Canada to the bronze medal and a berth at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games where Canada placed seventh.

Wright had her right leg amputated at age 13 due to an infection. It was through a friendship with sitting volleyball teammate Jolan Wong that Wright eventually made her way to the national team in 2014 after doctors cleared her for high performance sport.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships… 2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL Works at AGAT Laboratories in Edmonton as a logistics coordinator.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 7th 2016 Paralympic Games 7th 2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

158

JAMOI ANDERSON | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB November 13, 1985 (33 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Toronto HOMETOWN Toronto RESIDENCE Brampton, Ont. HEIGHT 183 cm COACH/ CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY 2015 Toronto DISABILITY TYPE, Below knee amputation CLASSIFICATION

Jamoi Anderson was introduced to sitting volleyball eight years ago and first joined the national team in 2012. A multi-sport participant before his illness, Anderson was initially skeptical about sitting volleyball but it wasn’t long before he started to excel.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2015 bronze medal at Parapan American Games…. bronze medal at 2013 and 2015 Pan Am Championships.

PERSONAL

In October 2008, Anderson contracted a viral infection which eventually led to the amputation of his left leg below the knee… Ambassador for ParaSport Ontario.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 Pan Am Championships 3rd

2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

2013 Pan Am Championships 3rd

159

MIKAEL BARTHOLDY | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB February 24, 1982 (37 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Calgary HOMETOWN Calgary RESIDENCE Copenhagen, Denmark HEIGHT 175 cm COACH/ CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English, Danish GAMES HISTORY Guadalajara 2011, Rio de Janeiro 2007, Sydney 2000 DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Mikael Bartholdy was part of the Canadian national standing volleyball team that won silver at 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney. He also won bronze medals in sitting volleyball at the Parapan American Games in 2007 and 2011. He has also competed in the Western Disabled Ski Championships in Canada and the Calgary Indoor Soccer Championships.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2007 and 2011 Parapan American Games…. Silver medallist at 2000 Paralympic Games in standing volleyball.

PERSONAL

He was born missing bones in his left leg and foot, which resulted in him having the limb amputated at age one… Teaching assistant in Copenhagen where he provides educational based learning opportunities for children… Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mount Royal College.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2011 Parapan Am Games 3rd 2007 Parapan Am Games 3rd 2000 Paralympic Games 2nd (standing volleyball)

160

CHRIS BIRD | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB July 29, 1985 (34 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Dauphin, Man. HOMETOWN Brandon, Man. RESIDENCE Brandon, Man. HEIGHT 193 cm COACH/ CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Chris Bird is an athlete from Brandon, Manitoba. He is a member of the national sitting volleyball team and has worked with Right to Play Canada.

He has been with Team Canada since 2012 and would now be considered one of the veterans on the team. Bird was originally involved in Para ice hockey following a car accident that resulted in the loss of his right leg at the age of 15.

He was eventually recruited to play sitting volleyball and has since represented Canada in numerous competitions around the globe.

PERSONAL

Lost his right leg in a car accident at age 15… Also played Para ice hockey.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 Pan Am Championships 3rd

161

JESSE BUCKINGHAM | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB June 24, 1989 (30 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Toronto HOMETOWN Toronto RESIDENCE Toronto HEIGHT 188 cm COACH/ CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY 2015 Toronto DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

It didn’t take long for Jessie Buckingham to get his life back on track after suffering a serious leg injury in a construction accident in April 2014. Always a sport enthusiast, he made it a goal after his accident to be active and pursue a career in Paralympic sport. That same summer he was on the court trying sitting volleyball for the first time. He was named to the national team in March 2015.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2015 bronze medal at Parapan American Games… 2017 bronze at 2017 Pan Am Championships.

PERSONAL

Lost his leg in a construction accident in April 2014.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 Pan Am Championships 3rd

2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

162

BRYCE FOSTER | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB October 16, 2000 (18 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Thunder Bay, Ont. HOMETOWN Thunder Bay, Ont. RESIDENCE Thunder Bay, Ont. HEIGHT 188 cm COACH/ CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Below-knee leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Bryce Foster, a fifth-year student at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute high school, was named to the men's sitting volleyball national team in 2019 and has his sights set on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

He helped his school to the senior boys’ volleyball city and regional championships and was approached about whether he would consider being a Para athlete by Canada’s national men’s sitting volleyball coach Jeff Smith. He was invited to a camp in Edmonton and made the national team.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Got his first taste of international competition in 2019 with the national team in an exhibition series against Team USA.

PERSONAL

Foster was born with a club foot … At 12 years old, he made the decision to amputate his leg from the knee down after about 20 surgeries… Also played basketball, golf, and tennis at the varsity level in high school.

163

AUSTIN HINCHEY | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB October 15, 1991 (27 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton HOMETOWN Edmonton RESIDENCE Edmonton HEIGHT 188 cm COACH/CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY 2011 Guadalajara, 2015 Toronto DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Austin Hinchey is the current captain of the Canadian national team, a position he has held since 2011. He started competing for Canada at age 15 when he attended the World Cup in 2007 for the National Standing Disabled Volleyball team. In the summer of 2010, he competed as part of the National Sitting Volleyball Team at the World Championships held in Oklahoma. He helped Canada to a bronze medal in sitting volleyball at the Guadalajara 2011 and Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games.

Hinchey has also had a successful career in indoor volleyball (able-bodied) and was team captain for three seasons for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks. He was named their MVP in 2012. In his fourth year, the finance student switched to the University of British Columbia where again he defied the odds to crack the roster for his final two years of college playing eligibility.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Bronze medal at 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games… 2010 world championship team member… At Northern Alberta Institute of Technology he won the Derek Mittlestadt Award for contributions to the team in 2010 and was named most valuable player in 2012.

164

PERSONAL

Diagnosed at 18 months old with brittle bone disease (Congenital Pseudarthosis), a rare condition affecting his left fibula and tibia below the knee. Hinchey underwent 13 surgeries in his youth and decided at age 10 to have his leg amputated below the knee. He was fitted with a prosthetic leg and launched his successful sports career.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 Pan Am Championships 3rd

2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

2011 Parapan American Games 3rd

2010 World Championships 10th

165

BRAD HUNTER | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB November 4, 1989 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Thompson, Man. HOMETOWN Thompson, Man. RESIDENCE Brandon, Man. HEIGHT 175 cm COACH/ CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Amputee CLASSIFICATION

Brad Hunter lost his leg after an accident in 2014 where he was hit by a train. He was approached by teammate Chris Bird outside a convenience store while eating some ice cream and Bird introduced himself and talked to Brad about coming out to some sitting volleyball practices. Brad had played standing volleyball throughout elementary and high school in his hometown of Thompson, Man. so he accepted the offer, and is excited for the opportunity to represent his country in a sport he loves.

166

DOUG LEAROYD | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB June 12, 1990 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton HOMETOWN Edmonton RESIDENCE Calgary HEIGHT 198 cm COACH/ CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY 2015 Toronto DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Doug Learoyd helped Canada to bronze medals at the past three Parapan Am Games. This year he hopes to be at least a step higher on the podium to qualify Canada for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. He first got involved in volleyball in 2003. A year later, in 2004, he joined the Canadian National Men’s Standing Disabled Volleyball Team at age 14 and helped Canada to the world title in 2006. He’s been on the national sitting team since 2007 when he was only 17.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2007, 2011, 2015 bronze medal at Parapan American Games… bronze at 2017 Pan Am Championships.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 Pan Am Championships 3rd

2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

2017 Pan Am Championships 3rd

2011 Parapan American Games 3rd

2010 World Championships 10th

2007 Parapan American Games 3rd

2006 World Standing Championships 1st

167

MATTEO LISOWAY | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB July 22, 1997 (22 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Cranbrook, B.C. HOMETOWN Minnedosa, Man. RESIDENCE Minnedosa, Man. HEIGHT 191 cm COACH/CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Matteo Lisoway lost his leg due to bone cancer which was diagnosed during surgery after breaking his leg at work. Matteo was identified with the help of Fury Volleyball Club (located in Winnipeg) coach Chris Marshall who is an amputee himself and is involved in ‘Limb Loss Awareness’. Matteo is a new athlete to Team Canada who hopes to help the team qualify for the 2020 Paralympics.

168

DAREK SYMONOWICZ | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB April 7, 1982 (37 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Prudnik, Poland HOMETOWN Toronto RESIDENCE Toronto HEIGHT 193 cm COACH/ CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English, Polish GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Amputee CLASSIFICATION

During his rehab after his amputation, Darek Symonowicz was introduced to sitting volleyball. He made the men’s national team in 2012. He also swims, cycles, rock climbs, and plays wheelchair basketball.

169

JESSE WARD | SITTING VOLLEYBALL

DOB May 24, 1992 (27 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Calgary HOMETOWN Calgary RESIDENCE Calgary HEIGHT 186 cm COACH/ CLUB Jeff Smith LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY 2015 Toronto DISABILITY TYPE, Double leg amputee CLASSIFICATION

Jesse Ward played standing volleyball in high school, but with his mobility limited with two artificial limbs he made a switch to the sitting version of the game in 2013. Ward enjoyed the sport immediately. “I had the raw volleyball skills and understanding of the game,” he said. “My disability is no longer a limitation, which allows me to play to full capacity.” Ward was born without outer shin bones and both his legs were amputated as an infant.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Bronze medal at 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL

Attended Mount Royal College in health sciences… Worked with Volleyball Canada to help organize the 2015 Nationals which attracted more than 9,000 players… Grew up on a grain farm in Three Hills, Alta.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2017 Pan Am Championships 3rd

2015 Parapan American Games 3rd

170

171

172

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

Wheelchair basketball is often the hottest ticket at the Paralympic Games. It is similar to its able-bodied counterpart with some subtle differences, but the basket height remains the same as do the boundaries for three-point shooting. It is designed for athletes who have a physical impairment that prevents running, jumping and pivoting. There are separate tournaments for men and women at the Paralympic Games and Parapan American Games.

Wheelchair basketball games have four 10-minute quarters with a 15-minute pause at the half. If the game is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, an extra five-minute overtime is added. Games can have as many overtimes as necessary to break the tie.

Each team of five players is only allowed to have 14 total points on the field of play at the same time. There are eight classes of different point categories: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5, with every player assigned a point based on their functional ability. The range of abilities spans 1.0 to 4.5, with a 1.0 player having little or no controlled trunk movement and 4.5 player having complete trunk movement.

Canada has enjoyed its share of international success in wheelchair basketball. On the men’s side between the 1996 and 2012 Paralympic Games, the Canadians collected three gold medals and one silver. The women strung three Paralympic gold medals together from 1992 to 2000 and added a bronze in 2004.

At the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada won the silver in both men’s and women’s play to qualify for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation is the world governing body for wheelchair basketball. Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the National Sport Organization.

173

SANDRINE BÉRUBÉ | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB February 5, 1999 (20 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Ville Lasalle, Que. HOMETOWN Beauharnois, Que. RESIDENCE Beauharnois, Que. HEIGHT 163 cm COACH Marc Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGES French, English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, 4.5 CLASSIFICATION

Sandrine Bérubé started playing wheelchair basketball in 2014 after she injured herself playing hockey. Introduced by a family friend, Bérubé quickly grew to love the sport.

Bérubé, a highly analytical and competitive player, enjoys the team atmosphere and the physical intensity of the sport. She began her career playing for the Valleyfield Mini-Eagle Team before being recruited for the CIVA AA team. She also represents Quebec on both the junior team and women’s team.

She was named to the Canadian roster for the 2018 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Hamburg, Germany, at just 19 years old. For Bérubé, representing Canada at the highest level of wheelchair basketball, was a dream come true for her.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships

PERSONAL

Bérubé studies physiotherapy technology. In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking and spending time with family and friends.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 5th

174

KADY DANDENEAU | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB January 25, 1990 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Pender Island, B.C. HOMETOWN Pender Island, B.C. RESIDENCE Toronto HEIGHT 180 cm COACH Marc Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, 4.5 CLASSIFICATION

Kady Dandeneau has always been a passionate basketball player. Before taking up wheelchair basketball, Dandeneau was an all-star stand-up basketball player in British Columbia, playing for the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves from 2007 to 2013.

She began playing wheelchair basketball in 2015 after being introduced to the game by fellow Pender Island native and former Team Canada coach Tim Frick, once injuries prevented her from continuing with the stand-up game.

Having always been an aggressive and physical player in the stand-up game, Dandeneau brings the same style to wheelchair basketball and believes there’s no better feeling than being able to represent Canada on the world stage while doing what she loves.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships…

PERSONAL

Suffered a serious knee injury in 2010… Eventually had four operations on her knee, but developed a bone defect as a result of a fracture in the femur.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 5th

175

DANIELLE DUPLESSIS | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB July 17, 1997 (22 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Frederiction, N.B. HOMETOWN Fredericton, N.B. RESIDENCE Fredericton, N.B. HEIGHT 6’0” COACH Marc Antoine Ducharme English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, 4.5 CLASSIFICATION

Danielle Duplessis turned to wheelchair basketball less than two years ago after a number of knee injuries in high school and university ruled her out of playing stand-up basketball at a high level.

She played for New Brunswick at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, and has been training for the national team this year. She participated in several tournaments with Women’s National Team and was named to the roster for Canada’s feature game against the Netherlands in the spring.

The Lima 2019 Parapan Am Games will be her first appearance at a major international tournament for Canada, and her first multi-sport Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2019 Canada Winter Games (4th) 1st place at the 2019 NWBA Finals (Toronto Rollin Raptors Div II) 1st place at the 2e open feminin handibasket international (Team Canada) 1st place at the Nations Cup (Team Canada)

PERSONAL

Outside of basketball, Duplessis said she enjoys reading, camping and biking. She graduated with distinction in a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science at Mount Allison and is pursuing a master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Neuroscience.

176

ERICA GAVEL | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @EricaGavel

DOB May 25, 1991 (28 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Saskatoon, Sask. HOMETOWN Prince Albert, Sask. RESIDENCE Prince Albert, Sask. HEIGHT 180 cm COACH Marc-Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015 DISABILITY TYPE, 4.5 CLASSIFICATION

Erica Gavel has been passionate about basketball ever since she can remember. A star on the rise, she was a highly sought-after recruit coming out of high school and went on the play for the University of Saskatchewan women’s basketball program. However, her career was cut short after a serious knee injury forced Gavel to the sidelines.

Since taking up wheelchair basketball in 2012, she has fast tracked her way to competing for her home province and earning an athletic scholarship to the University of Alabama.

Gavel ultimately set her sights on representing Team Canada at the Paralympic Games, which she achieved in 2016. She first took a step in that direction in 2014 after seizing a full-time roster spot on the Senior Women’s National Team.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships… 2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games

PERSONAL

Outside of basketball, Gavel is passionate about her studies and enjoys giving back to her community. She devotes time to promoting sport to young girls and living a healthy, active lifestyle.

177

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 5th 2016 Paralympic Games 5th 2015 Parapan American Games – Silver

178

MAUDE JACQUES | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @JacquesMaude

DOB April 21, 1992 (27 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Sherbrooke, Que. HOMETOWN Lac-Beauport, Que. RESIDENCE Lac-Beauport, Que. HEIGHT 149 cm COACH Marc Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGES French & English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, London 2012, Guadalajara 2011 DISABILITY TYPE, 2.5 CLASSIFICATION

Maude Jacques discovered wheelchair basketball in 2001 thanks to the encouragement of her physiotherapist after she was injured in a car accident. A strong competitor and teammate, she felt at ease on the court and embraced both the team dynamic of the sport and the opportunity to constantly push her limits.

Jacques worked hard to steadily make a name for herself within the wheelchair basketball community and it all paid off in 2011, when Jacques made her National Team debut. She went on to wear the Canadian colours at the 2011 and 2015 Parapan Am Games and the 2012 Paralympic Games.

After not making the cut for the 2016 Games in Rio, she tried wheelchair tennis and became one of Canada’s top players. She competed on the international circuit for three years before returning to wheelchair basketball.

Jacques was a Petro-Canada FACE athlete in 2010.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2019 CWBL Champion… 2014 and 2018 World Championships… 2012 Paralympic Games… 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games… Named to 2015 Women’s U25 World Championship tournament all-star team.

179

PERSONAL

Joined the University of Alabama women’s wheelchair basketball team in 2012…. Paralyzed in car accident at age eight…. Has a twin sister.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 5th 2015 Parapan American Games 2nd 2014 World Championships 1st 2012 Paralympic Games 6th 2011 Parapan American Games 2nd

180

PUISAND LAI | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB July 29, 2000 (19 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Honolulu, Hawaii HOMETOWN Toronto RESIDENCE Toronto HEIGHT 157 cm COACH Marc Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, 1.0 CLASSIFICATION

Wheelchair basketball was just one of the many sports that Puisand Lai’s parents signed her up for in 2013. Reluctant to go at first, Lai eventually fell in love with the intensity and thrill of wheelchair basketball.

Lai’s strengths lie in her speed and defensive play. She loves learning new aspects of the game and the feeling of satisfaction when she masters a new skill.

She was only 17 years old when she was named to the Canadian roster for the 2018 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Hamburg, Germany.

In 2017, she was a member of the national wheelchair tennis team. That year she was ranked seventh in the ITF World Rankings for girls' wheelchair tennis.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2019 silver medal with Ontario at Canada Winter Games… 2018 World Championships.

PERSONAL

Diagnosed at age six with transverse myelitis, a rare neurological condition in which the spinal cord is inflamed…. Has a twin sister… Engineering student at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario… Also participated in Para ice hockey and adaptive sailing.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 5th

181

ROSALIE LALONDE | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @RosalieLalOnde

DOB March 27, 1997 (22 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal, Que. HOMETOWN St-Clet, Que. RESIDENCE St-Clet, Que. HEIGHT 145 cm COACH Marc Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGES French & English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015 DISABILITY TYPE, 3.0 CLASSIFICATION

Rosalie Lalonde was introduced to wheelchair basketball in 2011. At first glance she wanted nothing to do with the sport, but after some strong encouragement from her mother she stuck with it. Now she says wheelchair basketball is the one thing she cannot live without.

Lalonde worked diligently to fast track her climb up the wheelchair basketball ranks. She began playing in a mini program in Quebec before going on to compete for the provincial junior team and the women’s provincial team.

She earned roster spots on both the Senior Women’s National Team and Women’s U25 National Team in 2015.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 Paralympic Games and Wheelchair Basketball Canada Junior Athlete of the Year… 2015 Parapan American Games

PERSONAL

A quick study, Lalonde is an avid student off the court with a particular interest in biology. She always seeks opportunities to learn something new.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 5th 2016 Paralympic Games 5th 2015 Parapan American Games – Silver

182

TARA LLANES | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @tara_llanes

DOB November 28, 1976 (42 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE West Covina, California HOMETOWN North Vancouver RESIDENCE North Vancouver HEIGHT 165 cm COACH Marc Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGES English GAMES HISTORY _ DISABILITY TYPE, 1.5 CLASSIFICATION

Tara Llanes was playing wheelchair tennis at the time when she met former Team Canada player, Amanda Yan, who encouraged her to try wheelchair basketball. At the same time, she was trying to improve her speed on the tennis court, and former Team Canada and Hall of Famer Richard Peter said basketball would help.

She decided to try the sport out in 2016, and in two short years, Llanes has become a force to be reckoned with on the hard court. Her aggressive style of play led her to be chosen to represent Canada at the 2018 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Hamburg, Germany.

A professional mountain biker for 15 years, Llanes travelled the world to compete, earning her a nomination for the 2018 BMX Hall of Fame. On September 1, 2007, she suffered a C-7 fracture and L-1 damage to her vertebrae, which paralyzed her lower extremities in a mountain bike crash in Colorado.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 2018 World Championships.

PERSONAL

In mountain biking won a gold, two silver and a bronze at the X Games… Won a singles and doubles national titles in wheelchair tennis… Business owner selling adaptive mountain bikes.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 5th

183

CINDY OUELLET | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @SevenCan_CO

DOB December 8, 1988 (30 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Rivière-du-Loup, Que. HOMETOWN Quebec City RESIDENCE Quebec City HEIGHT 157 cm COACH Marc-Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGE French, English GAMES HISTORY 2008, 2012, 2016, 2018 Paralympic Games 2007, 2011, 2015 Parapan American Games DISABILITY TYPE, Nerve damage in legs from CLASSIFICATION chemotherapy for bone cancer, 3.5

Cindy Ouellet is an impact Paralympic athlete on the wheelchair basketball court. She has competed at three Paralympic Games and three Parapan Am Games. In 2018 she became one the world’s few athletes to compete at both a Winter and Summer Paralympic Games when she made her debut in PyeongChang in Para nordic skiing. A few months later, she helped Canada to fifth spot at the wheelchair basketball world championships in Hamburg.

She is also working hard to make her mark for people with disabilities off the field of play as well. The Team Canada member graduated in exercise science, earned a Masters in exercise physiology and played wheelchair basketball for the University of Alabama. She received an academic scholarship and is currently studying for a doctorate at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in bio-medical engineering. Her ambition is to do research for prosthesis for amputees and work in neuromuscular technology and nanotechnology.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Silver medals at 2007, 2011, 2015 Parapan American Games… 2014 gold at world championships in Toronto… 2008, 2012, 2016, 2018 Paralympic Games… Female Athlete of the Year award in 2012, 2016 and 2017 by Wheelchair Basketball Canada

184

PERSONAL

Diagnosed with bone cancer at age 12… Went through 28 chemotherapy cycles… Trained and competed in cross-fit in her wheelchair… During her career she has dislocated both shoulders and broken her hand, fingers and skull.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS (Para nordic skiing)

2018 Paralympic Winter Games - 5 km sitting – cross-country 17th

2018 Paralympic Winter Games - 12 km sitting – cross-country 18th

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS (wheelchair basketball)

2018 World Championships 5th

2016 Paralympic Games 5th

2015 Parapan American Games 2nd

2014 World Championships 1st

2012 Paralympic Games 6th

2010 World Championships 3rd

2011 Parapan Am Games 2nd

2008 Paralympic Games 5th

2007 Parapan Am Games 2nd

185

TAMARA STEEVES | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @TinyOxen8

DOB September 23, 1989 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Etobicoke, Ont. HOMETOWN Etobicoke, Ont. RESIDENCE Mississauga, Ont. HEIGHT 158 cm COACH Marc-Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015, London 2012 DISABILITY TYPE, 1.5 CLASSIFICATION

Tamara Steeves discovered wheelchair basketball in 2008 and immediately fell in love with the sport. She soon joined a local club team and dedicated countless hours to honing her skills on the court.

In 2011, she landed a roster spot on Canada’s first-ever Women’s U25 National Team. She followed up that feat with a silver medal performance at the 2011 Canada Games as a member of Team Ontario. She made her international debut with Team Canada at the 2011 Osaka Cup, where the squad captured a bronze medal.

Steeves landed a roster spot on the Senior Women’s National Team the following year. As a rookie on the team, she competed at her first Paralympic Games in London, England in 2012.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games

PERSONAL Her role models are her mother, her grandmother and Canadian icon Terry Fox. NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships – 5th 2016 Paralympic Games – 5th 2015 Parapan American Games – Silver 2014 World Championships – Gold 2012 London Paralympic Games – 6th 2011 U25 Women’s World Championship – 4th

186

ÉLODIE TESSIER | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @EloTessier

DOB March 14, 1996 (23 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal, Que. HOMETOWN St-Germain de Grantham, Que. RESIDENCE St-Germain de Grantham, Que. HEIGHT 119 cm COACH Marc Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGES French & English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, 2.5 CLASSIFICATION

Élodie Tessier was introduced to wheelchair basketball by a school friend. The team spirit exhibited in the sport fits perfectly with Tessier’s bubbly and smiling personality.

An attack-minded athlete, Tessier embraces the competitive nature of wheelchair basketball. Tessier has worked hard to move her way up the competitive ladder of wheelchair sport, always doubling her efforts to reach her goals.

Tessier is extremely proud of the opportunity to represent Team Canada. Achieving her goal of playing for Canada shows that hard work pays off.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2019 bronze medal at Canada Winter Games… CWBL Champion… 2018 World Championships… 2017 gold medal at Americas Cup… 2015 World Junior Championships.

PERSONAL

Born with leg impairment… Outside of wheelchair basketball, Tessier likes spending time with her family and friends. In the summer months, she is an avid cyclist

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 5th

187

ARINN YOUNG | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @Dah_Juice

DOB July 10, 1996 (23 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE St. Albert, Alta. HOMETOWN Legal, Alta. RESIDENCE Legal, Alta. HEIGHT 170 cm COACH Marc-Antoine Ducharme LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015 DISABILITY TYPE, 4.5 CLASSIFICATION

Arinn Young, a member of Canada’s 2014 world champion team, has always been passionate about basketball. When knee injuries prevented her from playing stand-up basketball in 2011, family friend and wheelchair basketball coach, Max MacMillan pushed Young to give wheelchair basketball a try.

A strong player in stand-up ball, where she won over 15 MVP awards and two city championships, Young immediately fell in love with the wheelchair sport, describing it as more positive than the stand-up game. At home under the basket, she helped lead her club team, the Edmonton Inferno, to a Canadian Women’s Championship in 2013. Young loves the aggression of the game, which she says pumps her up.

First named as a full-time player to the Sr. National Team in 2014, Young says the opportunity to wear the Team Canada jersey means the world to her.

She has helped Canada to fifth-place finishes at the 2018 World Championships (averaging 20.1 points a game) and 2016 Paralympic Games. The Canadian women qualified for Rio with a silver at the Parapan Am Games in 2015.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 and 2014 World Championships… 2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games… Named MVP at 2018 CWBL Women’s National Championship (Edmonton Inferno)

188

PERSONAL

Studies and plays at the University of Alabama… Off the court, Young coaches a Gr. 9 stand- up basketball team and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships – 5th 2016 Paralympic Games – 5th 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – Silver 2014 World Championships – Gold

189

PATRICK ANDERSON | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @andersonpatrick

DOB August 22, 1979 (40 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton, Alta. HOMETOWN Fergus, Ont. RESIDENCE Brooklyn, N.Y. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 190 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY London 2012, Bejing 2008, Athens 2004, Sydney 2000 DISABILITY TYPE, 4.5 CLASSIFICATION

Patrick Anderson is largely considered to be one of the greatest to have ever played the game. His talents on and off the court have garnered him international fame as a great role model and fabulous ambassador of the sport.

In 1989, at the age of nine, he was struck by a drunk driver and lost both of his legs below the knee. He discovered wheelchair basketball in 1990 and his natural athletic ability and tenacity quickly transferred over to the basketball court.

He’s competed at five Paralympic Games with gold medals in 2000, 2004 and 2012 and silver in 2008. He also helped Canada to the world title in 2006.

He took a hiatus from the National Team following the London 2012 Paralympics, but much to the delight of his teammates, coaches, and all of Canada, Anderson donned his Team Canada jersey once again in 2017.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 Paralympic Games… Named Best Male Athlete of the Year at the 2013 Canadian Paralympic Committee Sport Awards… Named Ontario Athlete of the Year With A Disability in 2013… Named finalist for prestigious Laureus Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award (2012)

190

PERSONAL

He is an aspiring musician who has studied general music & jazz guitar… Named an honorary mayor of the Olympic & Paralympic Villages at the 2010 Winter Games

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th 2012 London Paralympic Games – Gold 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games – Silver 2006 World Championships – Gold 2004 Athens Paralympic Games – Gold 2002 World Championships – Bronze 2000 Paralympic Games - Gold 1998 World Championships - Bronze

191

VINCENT DALLAIRE | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @vincecanada87

DOB March 7, 1995 (24 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Quebec City HOMETOWN Quebec City RESIDENCE Quebec City HEIGHT 171 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE French, English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015 DISABILITY TYPE, 1.5 CLASSIFICATION

Vincent Dallaire began playing wheelchair basketball in 2002, following an introduction to the sport by his physiotherapist. He has been honing his basketball skills ever since and grew up playing with recreational and competitive club teams in his native Quebec.

A true team player, Dallaire loves the camaraderie within wheelchair basketball. He also doesn’t shy away from the speed of execution and the intensity of the sport.

Dallaire, who has an impressive 6’6’’ arm span, earned roster spots with the Canadian junior men’s national team in 2013 and 2017. He considers the opportunity to compete for Canada to be both a personal triumph and a great honour given that the Canadian basketball program is one of the most successful in the world.

He made the Senior Men’s National Team roster in 2014.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships… 2015 Parapan American Games

PERSONAL

Born with a spinal malformation… His role model is Canadian wheelchair basketball great Patrick Anderson… Enjoys reading books and spending time with friends.

192

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – 2nd 2013 Men’s U23 World Championship – 6th

193

DAVID ENG | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @The_Real_DENG

DOB Nov. 21, 1976 (42 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Montreal, Que. HOMETOWN Montreal, Que. RESIDENCE Montreal, Que. HEIGHT 175 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGES English and French GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015, London 2012, Guadalajara 2011, Beijing 2008, Rio de Janeiro 2007, Athens 2004, Mar del Plata 2003 DISABILITY TYPE, 4.5 CLASSIFICATION

David Eng is a leader on and off the basketball court. His passion for the sport is undeniable and he is well known for his vocal, aggressive style of play and his ability to make the players around him better.

In 2018, Eng was named MVP of Tier 1 at the 2018 CWBL National Championship in Martensville, Sask. while leading the Gladiateurs de Laval to a 1st place finish. A few weeks later he competed at the world championships in Hamburg. He also placed first at the 2018 NWBA National Championship (Div 1) with the New York Rollin Knicks and was named an all-star.

At the 2016 Paralympic Games he was named Canada’s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony.

Eng discovered wheelchair basketball as a kid thanks to his uncle Gérald Brulé, a former member of the Men’s National Team. Eng started playing the sport recreationally in 1989 with the Gladiateurs de Laval, a local club team near his hometown of Montreal.

In 2004, Eng earned a full-time roster spot with Team Canada. He enjoyed a successful rookie season with the National Team en route to a gold medal at the Paralympic Games in Athens. Since then he has gone on to capture numerous medals and individual accolades

194

while representing Canada, including a 2006 World Championship title, a Paralympic silver medal in 2008 and another Paralympic gold medal in 2012.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 Paralympic Games… 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 Parapan American Games… Wheelchair Basketball Canada Male Athlete of the Year (2012, 2015, 2017)

PERSONAL

He earned a B.A. in Kinesiology at the University of Texas in Arlington.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships – 11th 2016 Paralympic Games – 12th 2015 Parapan American Games – Silver 2012 Paralympic Games – Gold 2011 Parapan American Games – Bronze 2010 World Championships – 7th 2008 Paralympic Games – Silver 2007 Parapan American Games – Silver 2006 World Championships – Gold 2004 Paralympic Games – Gold 2003 Parapan American Games – Gold

195

NIK GONCIN | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @goncin

DOB December 19, 1991 (27 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina HOMETOWN Regina, Sask. RESIDENCE Regina, Sask. HEIGHT 175 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015 DISABILITY TYPE, 4.5 CLASSIFICATION

Nik Goncin’s wheelchair basketball journey began in 2008, when he discovered the sport through a clinic at his high school.

He made his debut with Team Canada at the 2009 world junior championship. In 2013, Goncin cracked both the senior and junior national team rosters. The Regina native was on an athletic scholarship at the University of Illinois, where he competed for the men’s collegiate wheelchair basketball team.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games

PERSONAL

A former stand-up basketball player, Goncin also enjoys playing tennis, soccer and snowboarding

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th 2016 Paralympic Games 11th 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – Silver 2013 Men’s U23 World Championship – 6th 2009 Men’s U23 World Championship – 8th

196

DEION GREEN | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB April 28, 1990 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Mississauga, Ont. HOMETOWN Victoria RESIDENCE Victoria HEIGHT/WEIGHT 132 cm

COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY 2016 Rio, 2015 Toronto

DISABILITY TYPE, 3.5 CLASSIFICATION

Deion Green got his first taste of wheelchair basketball after dropping in at a local practice back in 2000. He developed his game as a part of the junior program in his home province of British Columbia, and went on to represent Team B.C. at the Canada Winter Games in 2007 and 2011.

His progression within the sport led to a spot on the Canadian junior men’s national team that placed eighth at the men’s U23 world championship in Paris in 2009. After his junior career, Green moved to Toronto to further his development with the National Academy program in 2013.

Green describes his role on the hardcourt as a jack-of-all-trades. An agile athlete, he plays the game with tenacious pace and doesn’t shy away from the physical contact.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games… Male Athlete of the Year by the BC Wheelchair Basketball Society in 2006 and 2013.

PERSONAL Green enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing video games and catching up on the latest television shows.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2016 Paralympic Games 11th

2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – Silver

197

ROBERT “BO” HEDGES | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @therealbohedges

DOB Jan. 5, 1980 (39 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Fort St. John, BC HOMETOWN Wonowon, BC RESIDENCE Wonowon, BC HEIGHT 185 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015, London 2012, Guadalajara 2011, Beijing 2008, Rio de Janeiro 2007 DISABILITY TYPE, 2.5 CLASSIFICATION

Bo Hedges first discovered wheelchair basketball at the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, B.C. He later witnessed a demonstration game in his native Fort St. John, prompting him to form a local club team of his own. He began playing wheelchair basketball competitively in 1996 and has since become a key component of the Canadian national program, as well as a powerhouse British Columbia provincial team.

Hedges got his first taste of international competition with stints for Team Canada at the world junior championships in 1997 and 2001, at which the Canucks won back-to-back gold medals. He secured a roster spot on the Sr. Men’s National Team in 2007 and captured a silver medal at the Paralympic Games in 2008. Four years later, he won Paralympic gold at London 2012.

Hedges’ commitment to the sport extends beyond the court. He is an active volunteer, coach and role model in his home province and he is always eager to give back to the sport and his community.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2008, 2012, 2016 Paralympic Games… 2007, 2011, 2015 Parapan American Games

198

PERSONAL

He attended the University of Northern British Columbia, where he completed his B.A in Business Marketing. Hedges' family has a cattle ranch in northern British Columbia, near Wonowon.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships – 12th 2016 Paralympic Games – 11th 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – Silver 2012 London Paralympic Games – Gold 2011 Guadalajara Parapan American Games – Bronze 2010 World Championships – 7th 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games – Silver 2007 Rio de Janeiro Parapan American Games – Silver

199

COLIN HIGGINS | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB May 23, 1991 (28 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Rothesay, N.B. HOMETOWN Rothesay, N.B. RESIDENCE Rothesay, N.B. HEIGHT 180 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, 4.5 CLASSIFICATION

Born and raised on the east coast, Colin Higgins joined the wheelchair basketball circuit in 2014, after local classifier Karen Ferguson asked him to come and try out. Instantly, Higgins was hooked on the game and fell in love with the sport because of its complexity – from being aggressive, passive, to the physicality.

After joining the local club in Saint John in 2014, Higgins attended the 2015 Canada Games representing Team New Brunswick.

His progression through the sport earned him a coveted spot at the National Academy in 2016. He went on to earn a roster spot with Team Canada in 2017 as part of the Senior Men’s National Team.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2018 World Championships… 2015 Canada Games

PERSONAL

At age 22, he had an injury that severed his peroneal nerve, causing “drop foot” … A sports management major in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri where he also plays on the school’s wheelchair basketball team.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th

200

CHAD JASSMAN | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB Sept. 16, 1983 (35 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Medicine Hat, Alta. HOMETOWN Calgary, Alta. RESIDENCE Calgary, Alta. HEIGHT 177 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015, London 2012, Guadalajara 2011 DISABILITY TYPE, 1.5 CLASSIFICATION

Chad Jassman grew up with a love for sports. That passion led him to take up wheelchair basketball after he broke his back in a car accident in 2004.

After a year and a half of developing his skills and competing for the Calgary Grizzlies, his local club team, Jassman decided to try out for Team Canada. He missed the cut two years in a row, but with hard work and perseverance he ultimately earned a roster spot on the National Team in 2009.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games… 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games

PERSONAL

Off the court, he enjoys everything athletic and has recently started to ski and play tennis. He studied aviation in college and successfully earned his commercial pilot license, and he continues to fly planes and gliders recreationally in his spare time.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 12th 2016 Paralympic Games 11th 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – Silver 2012 London Paralympic Games – Gold 2011 Guadalajara Parapan American Games – Bronze 2010 World Championships – 7th

201

LEE MELYMICK | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB January 9, 1995 (24 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Toronto HOMETOWN Toronto RESIDENCE Toronto HEIGHT 198 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, 1.0 CLASSIFICATION

Lee Melymick turned to wheelchair basketball after an injury in 2015. As a natural competitor, he immediately embraced the game and its aggressive style of play.

Melymick began playing locally with Variety Village in Toronto and has progressed quickly in the sport, representing the club at the 2017 Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League National Championship. In the same year Melymick was selected for the Canadian Men’s U23 Team to mark his national team debut.

On the court Melymick is a strong supportive player, setting picks and seals to get his teammates open, while keeping an eye out for openings to make use of his ranged shot.

A strong team player, Melymick was named to the Senior Men’s National Team for the 2018 World Championships in Hamburg, Germany.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2019 silver medal with Ontario at Canada Winter Games… 2018 World Championships.

PERSONAL

Paralyzed from the waist down after he fell off a ladder in 2015… Chemical engineering student at Ryerson University.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th

202

TYLER MILLER | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL @TYMILLER84

DOB June 24, 1984 (35 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Kitchener, Ont. HOMETOWN Kitchener, Ont. RESIDENCE Kitchener, Ont. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 172 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015, London 2012, Guadalajara 2011 DISABILITY TYPE, 1.5 CLASSIFICATION

Tyler Miller was introduced to wheelchair basketball by a friend. He brought him to a practice because he felt Miller needed sport in his life once again.

Miller soon found a place on a junior club team in his hometown of Kitchener, Ont. He later earned a roster spot on the Ontario provincial team and won a bronze and two silver medals at the Canadian national championships. In 2011, he won a national title with Variety Village at the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League finals.

Miller is a hardworking, dedicated athlete. Both of those qualities were on full display when he made his debut with the Canadian Men’s National Team at the World Championships in 2010. He also won a bronze medal with Canada at the 2011 Parapan American Games. He earned a full-time roster spot on the national squad in 2012.

In 2012, Miller competed in his first Paralympic Games in London, England, where Team Canada captured the gold medal.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games… 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games

PERSONAL

Off the basketball court, Miller has completed a 7,280-hour apprenticeship program and is now a licensed tool and die maker. In his spare time and if the weather is right, Miller enjoys relaxing at his family cottage, boating and spending time on the beach.

203

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 12th 2016 Paralympic Games 11th 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – Silver 2012 London Paralympic Games – Gold 2011 Guadalajara Parapan American Games - Bronze 2010 World Championships – 7th

204

BLAISE MUTWARE | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB May 14, 1994 (25 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Hindiro, Rwanda HOMETOWN Toronto RESIDENCE Toronto HEIGHT 188 cm COACH Matteo Feriani LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY -

DISABILITY TYPE, 3.5 CLASSIFICATION

Blaise Mutware started playing stand-up basketball before a serious injury led him to wheelchair basketball. Mutware was born in Rwanda and moved around to South Africa and Zimbabwe before settling in Toronto at age 13.

In Toronto, Mutware took up stand-up basketball and also developed a passion for cooking. He was enrolled in culinary school at age 20 when he found himself confronted by two robbers and was shot in the leg. Most of the damage took place in the spine, according to him.

Doctors originally told Mutware he wouldn’t be able to walk again. Not long after, he discovered wheelchair basketball.

Mutware first started playing with the Variety Village Rebels, a local club in 2015. In the same year, Mutware was invited to train with the National Academy Program at Wheelchair Basketball Canada’s National Training Centre.

Mutware was named to the Senior Men’s National Team in 2019.

PERSONAL

Off the court, Mutware continues to pursue his passion for cooking and says he hopes to become a chef one day.

205

JONATHAN VERMETTE | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

DOB March 4, 1991 (28 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Sherbrooke, Que. HOMETOWN Sherbrooke, Que. RESIDENCE Sherbrooke, Que. HEIGHT 175 cm COACH Steve Bialowas LANGUAGES French & English GAMES HISTORY Rio 2016, Toronto 2015 DISABILITY TYPE, 1.0 CLASSIFICATION

Jonathan Vermette was introduced to wheelchair basketball at a rehabilitation facility in 2001. He began playing the sport four years later alongside his twin brother Philippe, after their father created a club team in Sherbrooke, Que.

He made his debut with Team Canada at the world junior championship in 2009. In 2013, Vermette once again cracked the Junior National Team roster and also made his debut with the Senior Men’s National Team. He earned a full-time roster on the senior team in 2014.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 Paralympic Games… 2015 Parapan American Games… 2011 Canada Games

PERSONAL

When he’s not training for wheelchair basketball, Vermette enjoys travelling and practicing other sports such as skiing, tennis and handcycling.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2018 World Championships 12th 2016 Paralympic Games 11th 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – Silver 2013 Men’s U23 World Championship – 6th 2009 Men’s U23 World Championship – 8th

206

207

208

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

Originally known as murderball, wheelchair rugby is a rough and rumbling sport for men and women, most of whom have quadriplegia. It is played on a basketball court and the objective is to fully cross the opponent’s goal line for a point. It is non-stop action with passing, ball carrying and of course wheelchairs crashing into each other.

This unique sport combines elements of basketball, handball and ice hockey. Wheelchair rugby was invented in 1976 in Winnipeg. Today, it is played in 30 countries and is under development in several more.

Wheelchair rugby became a full medal sport at the 2000 Paralympic Games. Canada won silver in 2004, bronze in 2008 and silver again in 2012.

At the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada won the gold medal to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games where it placed fourth, losing the bronze medal match by two points to Japan.

Wheelchair Rugby Canada governs the sport in Canada while the international body is the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation.

Classification

The total number of points in a team on court for four players may not exceed 8 points. There are seven different sport classes: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. The range of abilities spans 1.0 to 3.5:

Sport class 0.5

Players in sport class 0.5 have significantly limited function in their shoulder, arms and hands. The player would typically catch the ball by tapping it into their lap and throw the ball with a scoop pass. Their main role on the court is as a blocker.

Sport class 3.5

A 3.5 player has good arm and hand function, which makes him or her a major ball handler in the team. They have some trunk function, which helps them to rapidly accelerate the wheelchair. They will typically have a high and upright sitting position. You will see 3.5 players perform controlled one-handed, long-distance passes.

209

CODY CALDWELL | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY @CodyCaldwell9

DOB May 22, 1988 (31) BIRTHPLACE Peterborough, Ont. HOMETOWN Peterborough, Ont. RESIDENCE London, Ont. HEIGHT - COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 2.0 CLASSIFICATION

Cody Caldwell started his wheelchair rugby career in 2008 after becoming a quadriplegic in a diving accident in Alberta. Just a week after his accident, he saw the documentary “Murderball” and immediately decided to play the sport.

The former Peterborough Petes AAA goalie and soccer player adapted quickly to the sport and earned himself a strong reputation for his mix of intelligence and speed. It would ultimately lead to Cody making the Canadian national wheelchair rugby team in 2013 and shortly thereafter, winning gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games. He would go on to participate in his first Paralympic Games in 2016, just missing a medal with Canada finishing 4th.

Caldwell was a Petro-Canada FACE grant recipient in 2011 and 2012.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Caldwell’s career highlights include winning a silver medal at the 2014 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships and competing at his first ever Paralympic Games in 2016.

PERSONAL

Quite remarkably, Cody’s entire family is involved in wheelchair rugby, in one way or the other. His father, Dave, is an equipment manager for Team Canada. His mother, Liz, has been a table official at numerous national competitions over the years. And lastly, his brother, Kevin, is a nationally certified referee.

210

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 6th 2016 Paralympic Games 4th 2015 Parapan American Games 1st 2014 World Championships 2nd

211

PATRICE DAGENAIS | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

DOB October 4, 1984 (34) BIRTHPLACE Ottawa, Ont. HOMETOWN Marionville, Ont. RESIDENCE Embrun, Ont. HEIGHT 84 cm (sitting) COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE French, English GAMES HISTORY London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 1.0 CLASSIFICATION

Patrice “Pico” Dagenais is the co-captain of Team Canada along with Trevor Hirschfield. He is known as a hard-working, intelligent player. Like many members of Team Canada, Dagenais comes from a strong hockey background. Before he acquired a spinal cord injury in a construction accident, he played Jr. C hockey for St-Isadore and won three consecutive gold medals with his high school hockey team, the Embrun Cyclones.

Patrice’s ability to excel within the wheelchair rugby has enabled him to realize his dreams of competing at the highest level. In 2012, he was invited to join the national wheelchair rugby team and represent Canada at the Paralympic Games, where he won a silver medal. Patrice would later go on to capture gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and compete at a second Paralympic Summer Games in 2016.

Off the court, Patrice is very active in giving back to the community. He often visits public schools and rehabilitation centres, in order to speak about his life experiences, in an effort to motivate people to be active, as well as to act as an advocate for athletes with a disability.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

His career highlight is winning silver at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Winning gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games on home soil was a very special moment for him.

212

PERSONAL

Dagenais enjoys hockey, music, handcycling, kayaking and public speaking. He is supported by his parents and his brother.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 6th 2016 Paralympic Games 4th 2015 Parapan American Games 1st 2014 World Championships 2nd 2012 Paralympic Games 2nd 2010 World Championships 5th

213

TREVOR HIRSCHFIELD | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY @trevor_hirsch10

DOB December 21, 1983 (35) BIRTHPLACE Langley, B.C. HOMETOWN Parksville, B.C. RESIDENCE Parksville, B.C. HEIGHT - COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Beijing 2008, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 1.0 CLASSIFICATION

Trevor Hirschfield is the co-captain of Team Canada and is widely considered to be one of the best low-point players in the world. He was originally introduced to wheelchair rugby thanks to the sport’s co-inventor, Duncan Campbell, who was his recreation therapist at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, BC.

Hirschfield made the national team in 2006 and became the co-captain in 2012. On the court, he is known for his intelligence and his ability to “play up” and guard athletes with a higher point value. These talents have earned him several World Championship All Star awards, as well as become the first low-point player to ever be named IPC Athlete of the Month.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Despite having achieved much success within the sport, Trevor still believes that his career highlight has yet to happen. He’s eager and firmly committed to leading Team Canada back to the top of the wheelchair rugby world and his sights are firmly set on winning gold at the 2020 Paralympic Games.

PERSONAL

Hirschfield lives in Parksville with his wife Lisa, his son Kohen and his bulldog Rootbeer.

214

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 6th

2016 Paralympic Games 4th

2015 Parapan American Games 1st

2014 World Championships 2nd

2012 Paralympic Games 2nd

2008 Paralympic Games 3rd

2006 World Championships 3rd

215

MÉLANIE LABELLE | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY @HeadOver_Wheels

DOB April 6, 1985 (34) BIRTHPLACE Montréal, Que. HOMETOWN St. Hubert, Que. RESIDENCE St. Hubert, Que. HEIGHT - COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE French, English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 0.5 CLASSIFICATION

Mélanie Labelle sustained her spinal cord injury in March 2016, after an unfortunate fall while swing dancing broke her neck. During her rehabilitation, she was introduced to wheelchair rugby, when local club team, the Montreal Machines, came by the Lucie-Bruneau Rehabilitation Center to do a demonstration of the sport. Their visit opened her eyes to the sport and presented her with an opportunity to be active again.

In the autumn of 2016, Mel decided to join the Montreal Machines and began to practice with them on a regular basis. It enabled her to quickly pick up the sport and it eventually, led to her competing in tournaments across the country, including representing Québec at the 2017 Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Championships.

Mélanie’s strong performances on the court would draw the attention of Team Canada’s coaching staff and in March 2019, she would be selected as a member of the National Team Program. Without a doubt, an incredible achievement for someone who, at that point, had only been playing the sport for three years.

Labelle’s meteoric rise within wheelchair rugby has not only been eye-catching, but also, indicative of her incredible dedication and work ethic when it comes to the sport.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

Lima will be her first international appearance.

216

ZAK MADELL | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY @ZMadell

DOB March 28, 1994 (25) BIRTHPLACE Edmonton, Alta. HOMETOWN Okotoks, Alta. RESIDENCE Edmonton, Alta. HEIGHT - COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Amputee, 3.5 CLASSIFICATION

When Zak Madell was 10, he lost his fingers and legs to a septic staph infection. After his recovery, Madell first got involved in sledge hockey, but he was unable to hold the stick well enough to play at a high level. Next, he was introduced to wheelchair basketball, which appealed to his competitive nature and his love of speed. Finally, he was recruited to wheelchair rugby in 2011 and has experienced a meteoric rise in the sport ever since.

Despite having played for just over a year, he earned a spot on the team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The coaching staff originally intended to give Madell only limited playing time, but he consistently performed above expectations and handled the pressure of the Paralympics with a smile on his face. His performance was the wild card that lifted Canada to victory in its semifinal upset of the number one-ranked American team.

In just four short years, “The Kid” has established himself as one of the best wheelchair rugby players in the world. He was named MVP of the 2014 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Odense, Denmark, the 2014 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament and the 2015 World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge. His biggest honour came when he was named Team Canada’s flagbearer of the Closing Ceremony of the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, after leading the team to its first gold medal in 13 years.

217

Following a fourth-place team finish at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Zak took some time away from the National Team spotlight to focus on completing his university studies. He is now back with the team almost three years later and is eagerly looking forward to making a big impact this August at the 2019 Lima Parapan American Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Winning gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and being named Team Canada’s flagbearer for the Closing Ceremonies.

PERSONAL

Zak is currently a student at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) studying Architectural Technologies.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2016 Paralympic Games 4th 2015 Parapan American Games 1st 2014 World Championships 2nd 2012 Paralympic Games 2nd

218

TRAVIS MURAO | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

DOB January 12, 1983 (36) BIRTHPLACE Steveston, B.C. HOMETOWN Steveston, B.C. RESIDENCE Toronto, ON HEIGHT/WEIGHT - COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Beijing 2008, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 2.0 CLASSIFICATION

Travis Murao was introduced to wheelchair rugby by Duncan Campbell, one of the inventors of the sport. He started playing while still in G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Hospital and quickly became hooked on the intellectual side of the sport.

Murao is known for his sense of humour and his love of reading. In the past, he’s blogged about wheelchair rugby and starred in the humorous web series “Wheelchair Rugby Talk with Trev n’ Trav” with his teammate Trevor Hirschfield.

Murao’s passion for both English Literature and wheelchair rugby took him to Tucson where he studied English at the University of Arizona and won a US Quad Rugby Association national championship title with the Tucson Pterodactyls. Now, he’s living in Toronto training full time in the hope of capturing gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Murao has two career highlights; winning silver at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and winning gold at the 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL

Murao loves to read, write slam poetry and cook. He is supported by his family.

219

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 6th 2016 Paralympic Games 4th 2015 Parapan American Games 1st 2014 World Championships 2nd

2012 Paralympic Games 2nd 2010 World Championships 5th 2008 Paralympic Games 3rd

220

BENJAMIN PERKINS | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

DOB September 26, 1986 (32) BIRTHPLACE North Augusta, Ont. HOMETOWN North Augusta, Ont. RESIDENCE North Augusta, Ont. HEIGHT - COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 2.0 CLASSIFICATION

Benjamin Perkins became a quadriplegic at the age of 21 when he was seriously injured in a car accident. During his recovery at the Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, Ben was introduced to wheelchair rugby when the Ottawa Stingers, a local club team, visited the centre to host an open practice. Intrigued by the fast-paced, contact aspects of wheelchair rugby, he simply couldn’t say “no” when a member of the Stingers asked him if he wanted to give the sport a try.

Perkins joined the Stingers soon thereafter, and began to play wheelchair rugby on a more regular basis. Having previously played able-bodied rugby and hockey, many aspects of the sport came naturally to him and he was quickly able to establish himself as a strong defender who also possesses the ability to make quick and accurate passes, while he’s on offence.

From there, Ben would go on to compete in wheelchair rugby tournaments across Canada and the United States. He would also become a member of Ontario’s provincial team and play in 11 consecutive National Championships, winning seven titles.

In 2013, Perkins was selected to be part of Canada’s National Team program. Ben would narrowly miss out on selection for the 2016 Paralympic Games and the 2018 World Championships. However, despite these setbacks, he remained determined to represent Canada at a major event and ultimately, earned his spot on the 12-player roster in 2019, when he was selected to compete at the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru.

221

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Ben Perkins is determined to make the Lima 2019 Games be the first of many career highlights for him.

PERSONAL

Outside of wheelchair rugby, Ben likes to his spend his time with his family, especially with his son. He also enjoys being out in the nature and occasionally goes hunting.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

First international appearance at a major event.

222

ERIC RODRIGUES | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY @EricRodrigues79

DOB May 7, 1979 (40) BIRTHPLACE Mississauga, ON HOMETOWN Mississauga, ON RESIDENCE Mississauga, ON HEIGHT/WEIGHT - COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE English, French GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 0.5 CLASSIFICATION Eric Rodrigues became a quadriplegic following a snowboarding accident in 2009. While recovering at a rehabilitation centre in Ontario, he was introduced to wheelchair rugby through watching the Murderball documentary. The film caught his eye and on instinct, Eric decided to seek out the Ontario Para Network, in order to pursue the sport.

At first, wheelchair rugby was an opportunity for Eric to finally play a contact team sport again. However, as he became more and more engrossed in the sport, he began to have aspirations of one day representing Canada on the international stage. Eric, not one to shy away from a challenge, took it on and managed to become a member of the National Team Program in 2017. From there, he would go on to dawn the maple leaf and represent Canada at several major competitions in 2018, including the Canada Cup and the World Championships.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Eric’s career highlight so far has been representing Canada at the 2018 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships.

PERSONAL

Outside of sport, Eric enjoys photography, music and cheering on his local teams, including the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Blue Jays.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 6th

223

PATRICE SIMARD | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

DOB January 19, 1979 (40) BIRTHPLACE Alma, Que. HOMETOWN Quebec City, Que. RESIDENCE Quebec City, Que. HEIGHT 95 cm (sitting) COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE French, English GAMES HISTORY Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 1.5 CLASSIFICATION

Paralympian Patrice Simard started playing wheelchair rugby back in 1997, following a spinal cord injury he sustained in a car accident.

Patrice’s athleticism and intelligence on the court allowed him to quickly rise through the ranks and become a member of the national team in 1999. Since then, he has gone on to compete and win medals at the Paralympic Games (2 silver and 1 bronze), the World Championships (1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze) and the Parapan American Games (1 gold).

Today, Simard is known for being one of the best low-point players in the world. His strength and quickness allow him to not only defend players well above his classification but also allow him to be a major scoring threat on offense.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Winning gold at the 2002 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship, which was chronicled in the Academy Award-nominated documentary “Murderball”

Simard has won several major international All-Star awards, including Best 1.5 at the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship.

PERSONAL

Patrice lives in Quebec City. He enjoys working out, playing wheelchair tennis and spending time with his family and family.

224

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 6th 2016 Paralympic Games 4th 2015 Parapan American Games 1st 2014 World Championships 2nd 2012 Paralympic Games 2nd 2008 Paralympic Games 3rd 2006 World Championships 3rd 2004 Paralympic Games 2nd 2002 World Championships 1st 2000 Paralympic Games 4th

225

SHAYNE SMITH | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY @Shayne_Smith25

DOB July 25, 1988 (31) BIRTHPLACE Toronto, ON HOMETOWN Toronto, ON RESIDENCE Toronto, ON HEIGHT - COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Amputee, 2.5 CLASSIFICATION

Shayne Smith is a firm believer that life has no limits. At the young age of four, Shayne contracted a rare form of meningitis called meningococcal septicemia, resulting in amputations to his legs, left hand, and some fingers in his right hand. Encouraged and supported by his mother, Jo-Ann, Shayne was not going to let what happened to him prevent him from going out in the world and achieving his goals.

At the age of 8, Shayne began to play wheelchair basketball. Though it would take him four years to score his first basket, Shayne would ultimately go on to play for the Canadian Junior Team for over 17 years. After retiring from wheelchair basketball at the age of 25, he found himself a new passion in wheelchair rugby, following a practice session with Zak Madell, in which the two exchanged hard hits on the court.

Shayne would excel at the sport, in the years that followed, and it would eventually result in him being selected to the National Team Program in 2017. From there, he would go on to represent Canada at several senior international tournaments, most notably, the 2018 Canada Cup and the 2018 World Championships. Now with some international experience to call upon, Shayne will be hoping to make a huge impact at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Being able to wear the maple leaf and represent Canada at international competitions around the world is Shayne’s personal career highlight.

226

PERSONAL

Shayne is a co-founder of Tee-Talent, a social enterprise that offers custom t-shirts, promotional products and public speaking services. Their goal is to gradually expand the business and to be able to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 6th

227

BRANDEN TROUTMAN | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY @BrandenWheelz

DOB November 2, 1998 (20) BIRTHPLACE Lloydminster, Alta. HOMETOWN Edmonton, Alta. RESIDENCE Edmonton, Alta. HEIGHT - COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 3.5 CLASSIFICATION Branden Troutman, the youngest member of Team Canada, began playing wheelchair rugby in 2015 following an introduction to the sport by fellow player Zak Madell. He was, at the time, already competing provincially in both wheelchair athletics and wheelchair basketball but decided to give the sport a try, out of sheer curiosity. Soon thereafter, Branden was hooked on wheelchair rugby for its full-contact nature, which he found brought out a little bit of anger in him.

Since then, Branden has made significant strides as a wheelchair rugby player, improving both the offensive and defensive sides to his game. So much so, that he earned himself a coveted place on Team Canada's roster for the 2018 Canada Cup and the 2018 Wheelchair Rugby World Championships. Just a year later, in 2019, Branden would play a key role in helping Alberta capture their first-ever Division 1 National Championship.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Competing at the 2018 World Championships and winning a National title.

PERSONAL

Outside of sport, Branden shares a huge passion for motor sports, especially dirt bikes. He’s been also been working towards completing his bachelor’s degree at MacEwan University in Edmonton.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

2018 World Championships 6th

228

MIKE WHITEHEAD | WHEELCHAIR RUGBY @MWhitehead1975

DOB November 25, 1975 (43) BIRTHPLACE Windsor, Ont. HOMETOWN Hollis, New Hampshire, USA RESIDENCE Hollis, New Hampshire, USA HEIGHT 95 cm (sitting) COACH/ CLUB Patrick Côté LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Toronto 2015, Rio 2016 DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal Cord Injury, 3.0 CLASSIFICATION

Before his spinal cord injury, Mike Whitehead was an avid multi-sport athlete who enjoyed basketball, volleyball, hockey, soccer and badminton. He was introduced to wheelchair rugby when his future teammates, including David Willsie, came to visit him at the Parkwood Rehabilitation Hospital in London, Ontario. He quickly became hooked on the contact and the level of competition and made the national team, just one year after his injury.

Mike has been a mainstay in Team Canada competing in the last five Paralympic Games (2 silvers & 1 bronze), five World Championships (1 gold, 1 silver & 2 bronze) and one Parapan Am Games (1 gold). He has taken on a mentorship role with his younger teammates in recent years, by his sharing his experiences and knowledge of the sport.

Most recently, Mike coached Canada’s wheelchair rugby team at the Toronto Invictus Games, spoke at a TEDxBeaconStreet event in Boston, and was inducted into the Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Hall of Fame.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Whitehead’s career highlight is winning medals at three consecutive Paralympic Games from 2004-2012.

229

PERSONAL

Whitehead lives in Hollis, NH with his wife Kerri and his children Avary and Addison. He works for VESCO Metalcrafts measuring athletes for new rugby wheelchairs.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

230

231

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

There are three categories in wheelchair tennis: open men’s, open women’s, and quad which is a mixed event; each division has singles and doubles tournaments.

There are no modifications to the scoring, size of the court, racquet or tennis balls from stand-up tennis. The main differences are the specially designed wheelchairs and the ‘two- bounce rule’ whereby the ball can bounce twice before returning it.

Canada currently has a world top-10 player in quad tennis with Rob Shaw. At the 2015 Parapan Ams in Toronto, Philippe Bédard and Joel Dembe became Canada’s first multi- sport Games medallists in the sport earning the bronze in men’s doubles.

Wheelchair tennis is governed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) with Tennis Canada the national sport organization in Canada.

232

MITCH MCINTYRE | WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

DOB May 18, 1985 (34 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Esterhazy, SK HOMETOWN Esterhazy, SK RESIDENCE Vancouver, BC HEIGHT - COACH Tom McLean LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Quad division CLASSIFICATION

Mitch McIntyre reached his career-high singles ranking of world No. 27 this summer and will make his multi-sport Games debut in Lima. He will be among the first quad tennis events to compete at the Parapan Am Games, as the classification makes it debut in Lima. He says: “I'm really excited to represent Canada at the Parapan Ams in Lima. It's an honour to be amongst the first quads to compete at the Games and I look forward to the opportunity of reaching the podium and bringing home some hardware.”

McIntyre competed in his first World Team Cup for Canada last year – the largest international team tennis tournament in the sport – and this spring, helped his nation finish sixth to earn a direct entry in the 2020 event.

233

ROB SHAW | WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

DOB December 6, 1989 (29 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE North Bay, Ont. HOMETOWN North Bay, Ont. RESIDENCE Kelowna, BC HEIGHT - COACH Uri Yarkoni LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Quad division CLASSIFICATION

The Lima 2019 Parapan Am Games will be Rob Shaw’s first multi-sport Games. His classification, quad tennis, is being included at the Parapan Am Games for the first time.

He has represented Canada at the World Team Cup tennis event, which brings together teams from around the world, for the past few years. Canada finished sixth in the quad division this year. He is also the four-time reigning Canadian national quad singles champion.

Shaw reached the Top 10 world rankings in the men’s singles quad category for the first time last fall, after he made his biggest career final at the ITF 1 Series Birmingham Classic event. He has won three ITF singles titles in 2019 so far.

Shaw coached tennis from the age of 15 to 21, including stand-up and wheelchair tennis. He was injured in a diving accident at the age of 21, becoming partially paralyzed from the neck down. He started playing wheelchair tennis after his accident.

PERSONAL Also is currently working on his PhD at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences

234

JONATHAN TREMBLAY | WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

DOB March 24, 1972 (47 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Saint-Felix-de-Valois, QC HOMETOWN Saint-Felix-de-Valois, QC RESIDENCE Saint-Felix-de-Valois, QC HEIGHT - COACH Alain Mansuela LANGUAGE French, English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Men’s division CLASSIFICATION

Jonathan Tremblay will be competing at a major Games for the first time at the Lima 2019 Parapan Am Games. His career-high ranking, earned in October 2018, is No. 160 in singles.

Tremblay became a paraplegic at the age of 16 following a car accident. He played wheelchair basketball for many years – the sport he played prior to his injury – before switching to tennis about 17 years ago. He took a break from approximately 2007 to 2015 but has been playing competitively on the international circuit ever since.

PERSONAL Holds a Bachelor’s and Masters degree in psychoeducation.

235

THOMAS VENOS | WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

DOB May 19, 1999 (20 in Lima) BIRTHPLACE Arnmore, BC HOMETOWN Arnmore, BC RESIDENCE Arnmore, BC HEIGHT - COACH Evin Enquist LANGUAGE English GAMES HISTORY - DISABILITY TYPE, Spinal cord T12, Men’s division CLASSIFICATION

Thomas Venos will be making his multi-sport Games debut for Canada in Lima. He is currently Canada’s top-ranked men’s wheelchair tennis player with a career-high ranking of world No. 89 in singles and No. 77 in doubles.

He has represented Canada internationally at the World Team Cup, the biggest team event in the sport of wheelchair tennis, making his debut in 2017 as part of Canada’s junior team. This summer, he has been competing in ITF events throughout Canada and at the end of July won the singles and doubles title at the Kamloops Legacy Games (an ITF Futures Series event).

Prior to his injury, Venos was an avid soccer and baseball player. He started playing wheelchair tennis four years ago after a spinal cord injury following a dirt bike accident. He was invited to try the sport by a representative of the BC Wheelchair Sports Association who was visiting the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver shortly after his accident.

PERSONAL He attends the University of Alabama where he majors in kinesiology, and recently helped the school win a national championship in wheelchair tennis.

236

237