Caledon’s Routliffe doubles up on gold medal at world para swim championship

Brampton | Caledon | Latest News |

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Published August 4, 2023 at 11:05 am

Tess Routliffe claimed her second gold medal of the world para swim championship Wednesday. The 24-year-old from Caledon, Ont., won the women's SB7 100-metre breaststroke ahead of silver medallist and Canadian teammate Abi Tripp. Routliffe reacts to winning the silver medal in the women's 200m IM SM8 (SM7-8) final at the Parapan Am Games in Toronto on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Tess Routliffe claimed her second gold medal and defended her title at the world para swim championship Wednesday (Aug. 2).

The 24-year-old from Caledon won the women’s SB7 100-metre breaststroke ahead of silver medallist and Canadian teammate Abi Tripp.

Routliffe posted a winning time of one minute 31.91 seconds, which was 2.48 seconds faster than Tripp of Kingston, Ont., at the Manchester Aquatic Centre.

“I’m super happy that I was able to defend my title … and be able to put down a good race,” Routliffe said.

“I was thrilled that I had Abi there with me. It’s an amazing feeling being able to race, but being able to race a teammate just brings that level up.”

Originally from New Zealand, Routliffe was born with hypochondroplasia – a skeletal dysplasia which causes a shortened stature and limbs. She started swimming at age three with Dorado Stars in Caledon and has become a rising star in the para-swimming world.

Routliffe also captured gold in the 200-metre individual medley on the meet’s opening day on Monday and previously claimed Silver at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio and Silver and Bronze medals at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships.

Nicholas Bennett of Parksville, B.C., took silver in the men’s SB14 100-metre breaststroke to bring Canada’s medal total to nine, including five gold, over the first three days of competition.

Bennett’s medal was his second after the 19-year-old won the 200-metre freestyle.

World record holder Aurélie Rivard of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., pulled out of Wednesday’s 400-metre freestyle final “for personal reasons that required immediate attention,” Swimming Canada said in a tweet.

“She is well supported by the team and will regroup and get ready for the rest of her championships.”

Rivard won the women’s 50-metre freestyle on the first day of the meet.

The 27-year-old had posted the fastest 400-metre time in Wednesday morning’s heats.

The competition continues through Sunday in Manchester.

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