A Saskatoon para-swimmer has broken a world record.
Shelby Newkirk set the world record in the S7 100-metre backstroke at the Para-swimming Canadian Open in Toronto.
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Her time of 1 minute, 21.43 seconds broke the record previously held by Kirsten Bruhn of Germany.
“I just went in with full focus on getting it and I just stomped my feet into the wall to get a rhythm and I really tried to push it through the first 50,” Newkirk said in a statement.
“I know after that turn, I looked up and I could see that I was under my goal time, so I pushed and went full out. When I touched the wall, I wasn’t quite sure if I got it or not so I had to wait until I was at the side to find out but I was super excited when I did.”
It’s the first world record for Newkirk, who has had an impressive career in the sport of para-swimming, including seven Canadian records, since first entering the pool five years ago.
Newkirk, who is a rookie on the national team, represented Saskatchewan at the 2017 Canada Summer Games, where she won four gold and two silver medals.
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She was the team’s flagbearer at the closing ceremonies.
Newkirk trains under Eric Kramer at the Saskatoon Laser Swim Club.
With files from Claire Hanna
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