Saskatchewan sends several medal contenders to Parapan Am Games
The 2015 Parapan Am Game get underway in Toronto Aug. 7-15
After a very successful Pan Am Games, Saskatchewan athletes are ready to bring home more medals at the Parapan Am Games.
Saskatoon's Becky Richter has trained relentlessly to win a medal at the Games this year.
"It hurts and you kind of hate it, but once you get through it and finish, it's kind of a rush," Richter told CBC Saskatchewan's the Afternoon Edition. "You kind of feel a bit like Wonder Woman."
Richter training hard for Parapan Am Games
After she "dabbled in a few sports" Richter made an enormous impact in track and field.
She's currently the Canadian record holder in the 100-metre, 200-metre, 400-metre and 800-metre in the T51 class, a classification based on the athlete's body functions and the sport she competes in. Richter also holds records in the F51 discus and club throw.
"It's always been a huge dream to put on a Canadian jersey and to get to do that at an event like this. And on home soil, it's amazing," said Richter.
Inside the paint
Men's and women's wheelchair basketball are both events to follow for Saskatchewan fans.
Prince Albert's Erica Gavel will hit the hard court to represent Canada on the women's side. She already tweeted her excitement, alongside Saskatoon-resident and coach Katie Miyazaki:
Yang/ <a href="https://twitter.com/kmiyazaki10">@kmiyazaki10</a> and I getting ready for opening ceremonies! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/huskiepride?src=hash">#huskiepride</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HuskieAthletics">@HuskieAthletics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UofSBasketball">@UofSBasketball</a> <a href="http://t.co/fXb1g9OYR4">pic.twitter.com/fXb1g9OYR4</a>
—@EricaGavelEdenwold's Nikola Goncin hopes to lead the men's basketball team to gold this year. The 23-year-old was named the 2014 Wheelchair Basketball Canada Junior Athlete of the Year.
Little sneak peek what the opening ceremonies looked like <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamCanada?src=hash">#TeamCanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CIBCTeamNext?src=hash">#CIBCTeamNext</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WBC?src=hash">#WBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneTeam?src=hash">#OneTeam</a> <a href="http://t.co/DR7qK9otlG">pic.twitter.com/DR7qK9otlG</a>
—@goncinGoncin will be on the Morning Edition with host Stefani Langenegger on Monday, Aug. 10.
Here is your full list of Saskatchewan's Parapan Am athletes:
Archery
Bob Hudson (Leoville)
Athletics
Ilana Dupont (Saskatoon)
Becky Richter (Saskatoon)
Cycling (Road and Track)
Shawna Ryan (Saskatoon)
Sitting Volleyball
Dave Marchand (Rosthern)
Swimming
Samantha Ryan (Saskatoon)
Morgan Bird (Regina)
Wheelchair basketball
Erica Gavel (Prince Albert)
Nikola Goncin (Edenwold)
Wheelchair rugby
Miranda Biletski (Regina)
Here are Saskatchewan officials on Team Canada:
Archery: Phillip Henderson (Delisle)
Athletics: Carla Nicholls (Regina)
Athletics: Laurea Gidget Caroline (Lives in Saskatoon)
Athletics: Richard Reelie (Saskatoon)
Swimming: Marj Walton (Regina)
Wheelchair basketball: Katie Miyazaki (Lives in Saskatoon)