Canada's Brent Lakatos wins gold in T54 400m at paralympic worlds

Canadian Brent Lakatos won a gold medal in the men's T53 400-metres on Sunday at the world paralympic athletics championship in Lyon, France.

The Dorval Que., native posted a IPC championship-record time of 49.02 seconds.

It was Canada's second medal on the second day of competition. Becky Richter of Saskatoon won a silver in the women's F51, 52 and 53 seated discus throw.

Richter threw 6.09 metres to establish a new F51 Canadian record.

"Winning the silver is amazing. I wasn't expecting it at all", said Richter. "I just went out there and wanted to do my best and I did it."

In the women's T35 ambulatory 100-metres Virginia McLachlan of Windsor, Ont., finished second in her semifinal heat in 16.13 seconds. She qualifies for the final Monday while setting a new Canadian record.

"I was even more nervous than I was in London (at 2012 Paralympic Games) but when the gun went off I felt great," said McLachlan.

Kyle Whitehouse of St. Catharines, Ont., finished fourth in his semifinal heat of the T38 ambulatory 100-metres. Kyle clocked 11.75 seconds to secure his spot in Monday's final.

In the T34 wheelchair 200-metres, Austin Smeenk of Oakville, Ont., finished in 30.18 seconds to qualify into the finals.