FINIS-sponsored athlete and Paralympic gold medalist Mallory Weggemann strikes again on the comeback trail.
Weggemann stole the show for the second time this year, taking the main stage at the 2015 Can-Am Para-Swimming Winter Championships in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Weggemann is coming off a massively impressive summer, winning five medals and setting two championship records at the 2015 Parapan American Games, her first major international competition since taking gold at the London Paralympic Games in 2012.
Competing in the S8 classification at the Can-Am Winter Championships this past weekend, she took gold in both the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, taking home the crown as queen of the sprints.
“I started 2015 having yet to return to competition following my permanent arm injury that I suffered in March 2014, and as we end the year with three successful international competitions, I look forward to all that is to come in the new year. I know there is still a lot of work ahead for me in 2016 to get myself to where I need to be for the Rio Paralympic Games; however, I am excited for the journey that lies ahead.”
– Mallory Weggemann, FINIS-sponsored athlete
Weggemann became paraplegic in 2008 after an epidural injection to treat post-shingles back pain caused her to lose function in her lower limbs. She also suffered a serious permanent arm injury in 2014 that threatened the future of her career. But, just as she has always done, Weggemann wasn’t going to let this hold her back.
Weggemann continues to redefine her own limitations, and is pushing her body to its limits to get to the podium at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Mallory is a true champion and warrior on her path to success. She takes challenges head-on and brings the positive mental attitude and mentality to her situation and her sport. She didn’t let her latest adversity hold her back; she just kept charging on. So proud to have her as a part of Team FINIS.”
– John Mix, CEO and Co-founder, FINIS, Inc.
Weggemann is currently training for the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Trials that take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, from June 30 to July 2, 2016.
John Mix and Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Pablo Morales founded FINIS in 1993 with a mission to simplify swimming for athletes, coaches, beginners and lifelong swimmers around the world. Today, FINIS fulfills that mission through technical innovation, high quality products and a commitment to education. FINIS products are currently available in over 80 countries. With a focus on innovation and the fine details of swimming, FINIS will continue to develop products that help more people enjoy the water.
Swimming News is courtesy of FINIS, a SwimSwam partner.
Such exciting and feel good news for the sport. I would love to see this swimmer compete back in the S7 class though where she belongs, give Jac Freney some competition. The move from S7 to S8 was just another inexplicable action by the IPC. Good on you Mallory for pushing the sport forward regardless.