Team Canada Opens 2017 Deaflympics with New Canadian Record and Personal Bests

The Deaf National Swimming Team opened the first day of Deaflympics competition in the pool with a new Canadian Record in the mixed 4X100 metre freestyle relay. Joshua Baerg (BC), Damiano Panetta (ON), Selena Zou (ON) and Vedavati Ghanekar (ON) posted a time of 4:22.64. Canada placed 13th in the relay, up 2 positions from their ranking going into the event.

Best times were also recorded for individual swims including:

· Damaino Panetta (ON) who shaved close to 5 seconds off his best time in the 200 metre butterfly (2:35.92);

· Selena Zou (ON) who swam a personal best of 10:34.82 in the 800 metre freestyle;

· Vedavati Ghanekar (ON) who recorded a personal best of 2:51.25 in the 200 metre freestyle; and

· Jacob Blackburn (ON) who posted a 34.05 in the 50 metre backstroke, close to 3 seconds faster than his previous personal best.

“I am extremely pleased with our results from this first day of competition, especially from our rookie swimmers”, said Deaf National Team Coach Judy Baker. “This is the first time on the international stage for much of this team and they have performed beautifully in this new environment.”

Competition continues in Samsun, Turkey until July 26, 2017.

You can follow results at: http://deaflympics2017.org/en/sport/swimming-results/55

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