It was the spectators’ turn to work out at the 26th Défi sportif. Over 50 visitors tried out adapted sports in the trial zone of Zone d’essais Loto-Québec at Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard.
Even head of Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe enjoyed a few attempts! From wheelchair fencing to hand cycling, Mr Duceppe tried out everything! “Each year, I am touched by the achievements of the Défi sportif to improve access to sport for people living with a disability. This year, thanks to its trial zone, Défi sportif takes one step forward by allowing the general public to try out a variety of adapted sports. Through this initiative, everyone can get to know these sports”, observed Duceppe.
Josée Busilacchi discovered she was talented in wheelchair rugby. She had no problem wheeling around in a wheelchair, but she was surprised by the strength of the impacts. “I did not know it was going to feel this way. When wheelchairs collide, the shock is quite impressive”, she commented. Busilacchi also broke a sweat on the hand cycle. “It was very difficult. The cycle was hard to handle”, Busilacchi recalls.
Annie Vincelette tried out sledge hockey and wheelchair fencing with her group of youngsters from Centre Vio-max. “It takes good balance to stay on the sledge”, pointed out the kinesiologist.
Quebec Team on the Road to the SUPER FINAL?
Led by captain David Eng, silver medalist in last year’s Paralympics, Quebec wheelchair basketball team has yet to be defeated at the Défi sportif. After having won Friday night, against Team Ontario 55-42, Team Quebec added another victory on Saturday, winning 74-46 against Fredericton. This flawless performance allowed them to qualify automatically for the semi-final Saturday night at 9 p.m. Another victory would qualify the team for the SUPER FINAL to be held on Sunday at Centre Pierre-Charbonneau.
The women’s Quebec Team lost only one game during the qualifying rounds. The Quebec players rank third in their group and will face Team British-Columbia Saturday night in the semi-final.
Two Bronze Medals for Mainville
In the 26th Défi sportif, Pierre Mainville was at his best! The wheelchair fencer did not stop at winning bronze in the sabre event; he added a second bronze, this time in the épée event, on Saturday.
With the support of a cheering crowd, Mainville kept going and tied 7-7 in the semi-final against Athens Paralympics champion, Frenchman Alim Latrèche. In the end, the Saint-Colomban resident lost 15-9. Latrèche went on to win the final against fellow Frenchman Marc Cratère in a close duel that ended in overtime. “Épée is not the weapon I use most, so I try to simply enjoy it. Facing an experienced fencer such as Alim allows me to develop. The best has yet to come”, announced Mainville, now the proud holder of seven medals in World Cup events.
Sunday Highlights
The wheelchair basketball SUPER FINAL, the largest tournament in North America, in which the top two teams will fight for victory, will be held at Centre Pierre-Charbonneau at 2:30 p.m. We are hoping to see Quebec Team take part in this final. Just before performing the official opening tip, five-time Beijing Paralympic Games champion Chantal Petitclerc will receive the Canadian Press award for Female Athlete of the year in Canada.
The wheelchair fencing World Cup will conclude in the morning with the foil event at Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard.
Wheelchair rugby and sledge hockey finals will also take place on Sunday.
At Aréna Maurice-Richard, boccia players keep on impressing the public in the individual events. After many games on Saturday, the best players will qualify for the finals, to begin unfolding at 9 a.m., on Sunday.
Written by Sportcom