Saskatoon swimmer Shelby Newkirk wins Paralympic bronze for Canada

By The Canadian Press on September 7, 2024.

Shelby Newkirk competes for Canada in the Backstroke leg of the 4x100m Medley Relay Final (34 points) at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France on Monday September 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-CANADIAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE, Angela Burger, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

PARIS – Canada’s Shelby Newkirk won bronze in the women’s 100-metre S6 backstroke final at the Paralympic Games on Saturday.

The Saskatoon swimmer finished with a time of one minute 22.24 seconds.

China’s Yuyan Jiang topped the podium with a world-record time of 1:19.44.

Ellie Marks of the United States, who previously owned the world record, took silver.

Newkirk finished fourth in the women’s 50-metre freestyle in Paris and was part of Canada’s eighth-place finish in the mixed 4×100-metre medley.

The 28-year-old was diagnosed with dystonia at age 13 after her right foot started cramping and spasming uncontrollably. The condition, which affects her movement, balance and coordination, resulted in Newkirk losing the use of her right foot.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2024.