Canadian athlete Nate Tucker set a new record by winning the men’s 1,500-meter T38 final at the Para athletics world championships in New Delhi. Tucker, hailing from Victoria, surpassed his own championship record with a time of three minutes 57.98 seconds, securing his third world title in the event. Tucker strategically positioned himself near the front before accelerating on the final lap, breaking his previous record by 3.9 seconds from his first world championships victory in Dubai six years ago.
Amen Allah Tissaoui of Tunisia claimed silver with a time of 3:58.17, closely followed by Australia’s Angus Hincksman at 3:58.19. After finishing the race, Tucker expressed gratitude towards his coach, Heather Hennigar, emphasizing the team effort behind his success. Previously known as Nate Riech, the 30-year-old athlete also clinched the 1,500-meter world title in Paris in 2023 before earning a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics in 2024.
In another successful day for Canadian athletes at the world championships, sprinter Marissa Papaconstantinou and wheelchair racer Austin Smeenk secured silver and bronze medals, respectively. Papaconstantinou, from Toronto, claimed her first career world silver in the women’s 200 T64 final despite entering the race below optimal health conditions. She finished with a time of 27.07, trailing behind Marlene van Gansewinkel of the Netherlands by 0.9 seconds, with American Sydney Barta taking the bronze at 27.51.
Papaconstantinou noted the challenges of competing in hot weather and pushing through fatigue towards the end of the race. Canada wrapped up the championships with a total of nine medals, including three gold, one silver, and five bronze medals. Smeenk, from Oakville, Ontario, secured his second bronze medal in New Delhi by finishing third in the men’s 800 T34 event with a time of 1:40.50, just behind Wang Yang of China and Chaiwat Rattana of Thailand.
The day also saw other Canadian athletes achieving notable results, with Renee Foessel placing fifth in the women’s discus throw F38 final, Sheriauna Haase finishing eighth in the men’s 200-meter T47 final, and Chloe Dunbar reaching sixth in the women’s 200 T47 heats.
