Canada's Newkirk, Massabie take down Para swimming world records

Canadians shattered a pair of world records at the Para swimming World Series event on Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Saskatoon's Shelby Newkirk set a new mark of 37.40 seconds in the women's S6 100-metre backstroke in the preliminaries on her way to winning multi-class gold in the event.

Newkirk also added bronze in the 50 free.

"It was definitely a goal for this meet to go for that record," Newkirk, 27, said. "I know that I've done it before and to be able to get an all-time personal best at an event like this was huge."

Meanwhile, Sebastian Massabie of Surrey, B.C., took down the men's S4 50 butterfly record with his time of 39.51 seconds.

Massabie, 18, also posted his milestone time in a preliminary race. He went on to earn silver in the multi-class final in his first international competition since obtaining his classification last December.

"I'm glad I got a world record and I believe it's a necessary step for my Paralympic journey," Massabie said.

In the 4x50 free 20-point relay, Newkirk and Massabie teamed with Riley Martin of Peachland, B.C., and Myriam Soliman of Saint-Hubert, Que., to establish a Canadian record of three minutes 0.44 seconds.

Saskatoon's Hannah Ouellette claimed silver in the women's S5 50 backstroke.

"This was one of the best World Para Swimming Series events we've been to, certainly post COVID," said Janet Dunn, the contingent's team leader and head classification advocate in Indy.

"With 200 swimmers from 17 nations attending, we managed to set two world records, Canadian records, multiple personal bests, and achieved several minimum qualifying standards at this event."