Danielle Dorris has captured silver in the women’s 100-meter backstroke S7 with a time of 1:21.91.
The 18-year-old found her spot on the podium Monday after just missing her chance last Friday, when she placed fourth in the 200-metre SM7 medley.
The United States claimed gold and bronze, with Mallory Weggemann breaking yet another world record with a time of 1:21.27. In third place was Julia Gaffney.
Dorris and Bérubé were placed side-by-side in lanes three and two, where they were able to compete against a familiar face.
My game plan was really just to use my strength to my advantage, which is really the dive and the underwater aspect of the race, as well as on the turn,” Dorris said after the race. “Being the only swimmer in that race with no leg impairment, I was able to use that to my advantage.”
Right off the block, the Moncton, N.B. native was able to generate power through her kicks and build a strong lead the first 50 metres. Dorris was the first swimmer to turn and kept that momentum from her push until the last 15 metres, where she surrendered her lead.
It was then a close finish for the three Paralympians who all made the podium.
Bérubé was impressed.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my teammate, Danielle, who had a phenomenal race,” Bérubé said. “A silver medal for Canada — that was pretty spectacular.”
Dorris made a monumental leap from her Paralympic debut in Rio, where she placed 15th in the 100-metre backstroke, not only impressing spectators but herself too.
“I feel like I’m going to wake up from a dream back home in Canada and this has never happened,” said the medalist. “But here I am with a medal. It feels very surreal.”