LYON, France — Canada’s Michelle Stilwell set a world record in the women’s wheelchair T52 classification 800-metres Thursday at the International Paralympic Committee world championships.
Stilwell, from Nanoose Bay, B.C., won the race in two minutes 14.79 seconds, eclipsing the previous world record of 2:16.71 set in 2005 by Canadian Lisa Franks.
"I couldn’t have dreamt better, a world record and a gold medal," Stilwell said. "This is a very good start to the day for Canada."
Ilana Dupont of Clarenceville, Que., won bronze in the T53 wheelchair 100-metres crossing the finish line in 18.22 seconds. Lisha Huang of China won the race in 17.09 while Angela Ballard of Australia took silver in 17.64.
"It is pretty amazing to be part of a group like this that is bringing something back to Canada," Dupont said. "I held it in the back of my mind that it was possible and really focused on the event."
Guillaume Ouellet of Victoriaville, Que., finished fourth in the men’s T13 visually impaired 1500 metres, while Diane Roy of Sherbrooke, Que., placed fourth in the T54 wheelchair 1500 metres.
Kyle Pettey of Brampton, Ont., set a new Canadian Record in the F34 shot put, finishing eighth overall with a throw of 11.63 metres. Great Britain’s Scott Jones won gold with a world record throw of 13.38 metres.
Canada has won nine medals (three gold, four silver, two bronze) so far at the event.
