June 14, 2022
Newkirk victorious in Portugal
Shelby Newkirk won a gold medal on Sunday at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships in Portugal, becoming a world champion in the women’s 100-metre backstroke S6. Newkirk almost cracked the podium once again on Monday, as she broke her own Canadian record with a time of 1:15.21 seconds in the women’s 100-m freestyle S6 to finish fourth in the event.
“I’m so excited. I’ve been working towards this for a long time. Winning this title means the world to me. I feel like I’ve been fighting for this for so long. I’ve had some setbacks along the way but it just makes this that much sweeter. To be able to finally get that title in front of my parents in the stands, it makes it extra special.”
Newkirk said, in an interview with Swimming Canada.
Meadow Lake’s Nikita Ens is also competing in Portugal at the event. Ens finished fifth in the women’s 50-metre breaststroke SB2 with a time of 1:57.12 on Sunday. Ens went on to finish fifth in the women’s 150-metre individual medley SM3, with a time of 4:28.73 — narrowly missing out on breaking her Canadian record time of 4:26.74.
Wiens, Erlam each a part of synchro gold medals
It was a big weekend for Pike Lake’s Rylan Wiens and Margo Erlam, who trains in Saskatoon, as the pair of divers were each a part of gold medal wins at the FINA Diving Grand Prix in Calgary. Wiens and teammate Nathan Zsombor-Murray of Quebec won gold in the men’s 10-metre synchronized event with a score of 435.56 points.
“I had a great time today. Obviously, there are things we need to work on for next time, but overall, it went well. Most of our training was done individually, but when we started diving together, it all came together quickly,” said Wiens, in an interview with Diving Canada.
Wiens also captured a silver medal in the men’s 10-metre platform event with a score of 472.6.
He wasn’t the only Saskatchewan diver to find success in synchro, as Erlam, who was competing alongside teammate Mia Vallee of Quebec, won gold in the women’s three-metre synchronized event with a score of 305.40.
Weber a part of bronze medal win
It was a golden night for Team Canada at the U-18 IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championship on Monday night, as they defeated the United States 3-2 in the gold medal game. Saskatoon’s Jason Weber was a part of the Team Canada contingent, as he served as the team’s strength and conditioning coach.
Shmon earns Ivan Velan Award
Saskatoon’s Rick Shmon was announced on Tuesday as the 2022 Ivan Velan Award for Racquetball Canada’s most distinguished volunteer, thanks to his contribution to the sport of racquetball in the province and across the country.