LONDON — Nicolas-Guy Turbide’s goal here was to climb the only podium still missing from his competitive resume.
The Canadian swimmer did not disappoint Tuesday at the World Para Swim Championships here at the London Aquatics Centre, claiming silver in the men’s S13 100-metre backstroke.
It was his first world championship medal and Canada’s second overall, coming on Day Two of the week-long event.
The 22-year-old not only had to overcome the event’s unorthodox scheduling, but revealed another obstacle on his quest to be one of the last three standing.
“I had some back problems,” said Turbide, in his post-swim media availability. “I don’t travel well so I was fighting it today.
“To see that I can get close to my personal best time with a small issue like that it gives me confidence for next year.”
With a time of 59.70 in the final, the Quebec City-native improved on his time of 1:00.45 in the morning qualifying session.
Earlier in the day Turbide expressed his feeling if he were to complete that feat, now that’s it over, the Paralympic bronze medalist in Rio 2016 couldn’t be happier.
“I’m so pumped,” said the Canadian record holder in the S13 100m backstroke. “I get to celebrate enjoy my time and London and race in some extra events.”
Up next for Turbide is the 200m individual medley SM13 Friday and his event will conclude with the 50m freestyle S13 Sunday, the last day of the event.
Day two ends just as the first did, one Canadian medal but there was another opportunity earlier to add to Canada’s medal count.
Alexander Elliot finished fourth in the men’s 200m individual medley S13 despite an exceptional personal best time of 2:12.90, racing past his time of 2:14.61 at the Canadian Swim Trials this past April.
Elliot now has his sights set on next year’s Tokyo Paralympics.
“I think I should maybe look to reach the podium,” said Elliot, who wraps up his time in Great Britain’s capital in the 400 metre freestyle Wednesday. “I think I’ve handled the change of events well.”