Hammer thrower Rogers, runner DeBues-Stafford victorious for Canada at Paavo Nurmi Games
Canadian athletes shone brightly at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland on Tuesday, as hammer thrower Camryn Rogers and middle-distance runner Gabriela DeBues-Stafford emerged victorious in their respective events.
Rogers, the reigning world and Olympic champion in the hammer throw, claimed the top spot with a throw of 74.59 metres on her fifth attempt. Despite fouling three times, the Richmond, B.C. native managed to come out on top. Hometown favourite Silja Kosonen finished in second place with a throw of 73.21 metres. Rogers, who holds a personal best of 78.62 metres, has been in fine form this season with two wins and a second-place finish in her previous events.
On the other hand, DeBues-Stafford showcased her winning form in the women’s 1,500 metres, crossing the finish line in four minutes two seconds. This marked her second consecutive victory in the distance event this season. The Toronto native, who has battled injuries over the past few years, is slowly regaining her top form. DeBues-Stafford’s time in Finland was her fastest in over three years, showing her potential for even greater success in the future.
In the women’s 100 metres, Audrey Leduc of Gatineau, Que., finished fourth with a time of 11.16 seconds. Leduc, who set a Canadian record of 10.95 seconds in the Olympic heats last year, continues to show promise in the sprint events. Meanwhile, in the men’s 100 metres final, Jerome Blake of Kelowna ran a season-best time of 10.18 seconds to secure fifth place, just ahead of fellow Canadian Andre De Grasse.
Other notable Canadian performances at the Paavo Nurmi Games included Jean-Simon Desgagnes finishing fifth in the men’s 3,000 metres steeplechase, Thomas Fafard placing seventh in the men’s 5,000 metres, and Charles-Philibert-Thiboutot coming in 12th in the men’s 1,500 metres.
Overall, Canadian athletes showcased their talent and determination on the international stage, setting the stage for more success in the upcoming competitions. Fans can look forward to more thrilling performances from these athletes as they continue to push the boundaries and strive for excellence in track and field.
