Para Pan Pacific Championships see record-breaking swims

The 2026 Para Pan Pacific Championships in Walnut, California, concluded with significant performances from international para-swimmers.

Canadian swimmer Nicholas Bennett secured two silver medals, finishing second in the S14 men’s 200-metre individual medley and the men’s multi-class 200 freestyle. Team Canada finished the competition with a total of nine medals, including two golds, four silvers, and three bronzes, while setting three Canadian records.

New Zealand’s Jessica Johnstone earned a bronze medal in the women’s multi-class 100m breaststroke and set two national records in the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Her time in the 100m event was noted as the fastest in the world this year for the SB9 classification.

In the United States, Evan Wilkerson set a new world record in the men’s S11 100m backstroke, clocking 1:02.62 in the finals. Other American athletes, including Katie Kubiak, Piper Sadowski, and Olivia Chambers, also established new national records during the event.