Dolfo shows promise at London Paralympics
Langley teen Braedon Dolfo called finishing seventh in the world among T13 runners in the 100-metre race "a blesssing."
Langley teenager Braedon Dolfo (centre) ran to seventh place in the T13 men’s 100m final, during the London 2012 Paralympics.
Photograph by: Matthew Murnaghan , Canadian Paralympic Committee
Saturday was an encouraging day for 18-year-old Paralympic rookie Braedon Dolfo.
The Langley resident, who is heading to Trinity Western University on a track scholarship this year, sprinted to seventh in the T13 (visually impaired) 100m final in 11.27 seconds, just off his personal best and Canadian record 11.26 which he ran in last Friday’s heats in London.
“To finish seventh in the world is a blessing,” said Dolfo, who was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and has glaucoma and chronic uveitis.
“It’s just amazing to get on the same track as [Smyth]. To be able to run with him and the other guys that came here, what a great stage to run on. Can’t be any happier.”
The gold medal winner was Ireland’s Jason Smyth.
The 25-year-old broke his own world record for the T13 class by clocking a time of 10.46 seconds.
Cuban Luis Felipe Gutierrez took the silver in a season-best time of 11.02, while Jonathan Ntutu of South Africa was third in 11.03.
The youngest athlete named to Canada’s 2012 Paralympic track and field team, Dolfo is not only competing in London, but he’s also aiming at starring for Canada in the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Just to have fun and enjoy the experience,” Dolfo said, when asked on July 31 about his expectations at this year’s Paralympics [Track star readies for dream event, Aug. 9, Langley Advance]. “If I have a great performance I’ll be extremely happy but if I don’t, just the experience to go to the Paralympics is great.”
