Parksville's Nicholas Bennett's record continues to drop.
Bennett broke the world record in the men's S14 200m individual medley at the Canadian Paralympic Swimming Games in Toronto on Friday, coached by his older sister Haley.
Bennett is the event's reigning world champion, finishing in a time of 2 minutes, 5.97 seconds and winning the multi-class race. The previous world record was 2:07.50, set by Gabriel Bandeira of Brazil.
“I don't think there are words right now to express how positive this is making me feel,” Bennett told paralympic.ca. “I thought I would be able to shave a few tenths off (the world record) after qualifying, but I was 2.5 seconds faster than I had planned.”
Bennett, a 2020 Paralympic athlete, currently meets the “A” standard in two sports, according to a press release. These criteria are the requirements that will be considered when making nominations to the 2024 Paralympic Games team.
Bennett previously trained at Ravensong Aquatic Club in Qualicum Beach and currently works at Red Deer Catalina Swim Club in Alberta.
Read more: Bennett named Canada's 2023 Paralympic male swimmer of the year
Nicholas Bennett has been named Canada's 2023 Male Swimmer of the Year for the Paralympic Program.
The S14 athlete won her first career world titles in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley in Manchester, England last year, and almost added a third in the 100m breaststroke, finishing second. He lowered his own national standards in both his 200 IM and his 100 breast, breaking the Americas record in the latter.
— NEWS staff
