Canada's Aurelie Rivard swam a record-breaking race to win the 50-metre S10 freestyle Monday at the IPC Swimming World Championships.
Rivard, of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., won her race in 27.87 seconds, breaking the Canadian and Americas record she set during the morning heats.
"I'm so surprised I can't believe it," said Rivard, who won the first world championship gold medal of her career. "I'm so happy. I don't have any words to express how happy I am."
It was the sixth world championship medal for the 19-year-old, who won three silver and two bronze at the 2013 worlds held in Montreal.
"It means all the effort, being at the pool the past five years, that it was worth it," said Rivard. "All the sacrifices I have done, it means a lot to me right now."
Russia's Nina Ryabova took silver in 27.91, and New Zealand's Sophie Pascoe was third in 28.00.
The S10 classification is for para swimmers with the least amount of physical disability.
Nathan Stein of Maple Ridge, B.C., earned Canada's second medal of the night with a bronze in the men's 50-metre S10 freestyle.
Stein earned his first world championship medal in 23.84 seconds, just .003 seconds out of second place.
"I can live with it," said Stein. "It wasn't my goal. The goal is always to come first. I didn't get there this time. It wasn't enough today."
Andre Brasil of Brazil won gold in 23.20 seconds while teammate Pam Rodrigues was second in 23.81.
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