Katie Pegg, a resident of Markham, Ontario, achieved a personal best in the women’s shot put event at the Para Athletics World Championships on Thursday, securing her first medal in her second appearance at the championships. Pegg’s final throw of 12.76 meters earned her the bronze medal, surpassing her previous best by eight centimeters at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The 21-year-old started the F46 final with an 11.48-meter throw and went on to compete against 10 other participants.
Reflecting on her performance, Pegg expressed her joy, stating, “I just went out there, threw a heavy ball really far and I had fun. I didn’t put too much pressure on myself.” She credited her hard work and preparation, mentioning, “We’ve been working so hard to get to this very day. Today, walking to that circle, I was ready to go out there and just do the best I could.”
During the final, Pegg exceeded the 12-meter mark five times, achieving a significant milestone by surpassing her previous personal best of 11.75 meters set earlier in the season. Her performance placed her 43 centimeters ahead of the fourth-place finisher, Jihen Azaiez from Tunisia.
Pegg, who was born without a radial bone in her right forearm, made history as the first Canadian field athlete to win a medal at the championships in India. She joins Austin Smeenk from Oakville and Marissa Papaconstantinou from Toronto, who both secured bronze medals in their respective events earlier in the championships.
In the F46 category, which is designated for athletes with a single amputation below or above the elbow, Karomat Omonova of Uzbekistan claimed the gold with a throw of 13.07 meters, setting an Asian record. Holly Robinson from New Zealand clinched the silver with a throw of 12.86 meters, setting an Oceanic record.
Pegg’s journey to success began in 2024 when she made her international debut at a Grand Prix event in Dubai, where she won gold with an 11.15-meter throw. Since then, she has continued to excel, showcasing her talent on the global stage.
As Pegg continues to make her mark in the world of Para athletics, she remains a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes, proving that dedication and perseverance can lead to remarkable achievements.
