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Brent Lakatos captures Canada’s first gold at World Para Athletics Championships

Lakatos continues to be one of Canada's most decorated Para-athletes, earning the 30th global medal of his career

Brent Lakatos Photo by: Canadian Paralympic Committee
July 17, 2023
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The long-awaited wait for Canada’s first gold at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris is over. Brent Lakatos of Dorval, Que., dominated the men’s T53 800m to capture gold and win his third medal of the Games.

Lakatos led from gun to tape in the men’s T53 800-metre final on Saturday evening, setting a championship record of 1:34.31 to edge out his rival Pongsakorn Paeyo of Thailand at the line. This medal was Lakato’s third of the 2023 Para Games and the 12th world championship gold medal of his career, spanning seven world championships.

This medal was significant for Lakatos as it was the 30th global medal of his career. He has won 19 medals at the World Para Athletics Championships and 11 medals at the Paralympics. This is also his third gold medal in the T53 800m event. 

Athletes in the T53 classification have full use of their arms but have no or limited trunk function. His two other medals at these championships came in the T53 400m and T54 1,500m, where he took silvers behind Paeyo.

Canada’s Bianca Borgella sprints to second medal at Para Athletics World Championships

Team Canada’s medal total is now up to 14, with two golds, seven silvers and five bronze, entering the final day of competition.

Twenty-five Para athletes are in Paris to represent Team Canada from July 8 to 17 at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships. CBC Sports is streaming the event on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem and the CBC Sports app for mobile devices. The schedule is available here.

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