Canada’s Alexandre Hayward domininated the second half of his race to win a Paralympic bronze medal in the men’s C3 3,000-metre Individual Pursuit, on Friday at the Paris velodrome.
The Quispamsis, N.B. native finished the 12 lap event with a time of 3:24.865, beating Eduardo Santas Asensio, of Spain, who finished in 3:28.617.
This is Hayward’s first Paralympics appearance.
Santas Asensio held the lead for the first 750m until the Canadian overtook the race.
In the qualifiers earlier this morning, the 27-year-old finished in fourth place with a time of 3:26.940.
The Quebecer has won four medals at the 2023 Parapan American Games, participated in the 2022, 2023 World Championships and the 2022 World Cup Victory Final.
In 2012, Hayward broke his neck in an AAA hockey game just weeks before the QHJML draft.
He is also a former member of the national junior wheelchair basketball team.
