Mary Jibb made a remarkable start for Canada at the Para swimming world championships in Singapore by clinching the team’s first gold medal. The 18-year-old set a new Canadian and Americas record of 2 minutes and 32.90 seconds in the women’s 200-meter individual medley SM9 final, surpassing the previous record held by Stephanie Dixon from the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.
Jibb’s outstanding performance on the second day of the competition would have secured a gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris last summer. Reflecting on her achievement, Jibb expressed her disbelief at standing on the top of the world podium, emphasizing how surreal the experience felt.
During the final race, Jibb showcased her prowess, overtaking her competitors to claim victory comfortably. She finished ahead of Anastasiya Dmytriv of Spain and Zsófia Konkoly of Hungary, who secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Jibb credited her success to rigorous training, particularly focusing on improving her breaststroke technique. Her coach, Jy Lawrence, commended her dedication and execution during the race, underscoring the trust she had in the training process.
Having qualified for her first Paralympics in 2024, Jibb’s sights are now set on future competitions, aiming to excel at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. Her journey from a stroke survivor to a world champion reflects her resilience and determination in overcoming challenges to achieve success in the sport.