Canada’s Daniel a silver medallist in world para triathlon series race

HAMBURG — Canada’s Stefan Daniel was a silver medallist in a World Triathlon Para Series race Sunday.

The six-time world champion from Calgary finished second to winner Martin Schulz of Germany and ahead of bronze medallist Filipe Marques of Portugal in the race featuring a 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and five-kilometre run.

Daniel, a Paralympic silver and bronze medallist, finished in 57 minutes 52 seconds in the PTS5 classification, and 13 seconds behind the home-country favourite in Hamburg, Germany.

“I was pleasantly surprised. This whole year has been about taking a step back,” said the 29-year-old Daniel. “I’ve been working, coaching and enjoying things out of triathlon. I am still very active, but I came in today not overly fit other than going for easy runs. I just wanted to have fun doing a triathlon, and I have always wanted to race Hamburg.

“The podium was a stretch goal today. I wasn’t expecting it at all,” added Daniel. “Being healthy is so, so important and I know the fitness will come from that. I was just able to race a bit freer mentally. I had more fun with it and that goes a long way. I was in the front all the way so I’m happy with that, but we’ll continue to take things slow.”

Struggling to stay healthy over the last couple of years, Daniel’s plan is to stay fresh and be prepared for a two-year charge to the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

“I found some feet at the front of the swim. There was a group of four of us that came out of the water together. Schulz and I put some time on the guys on the bike,” said Daniel, who has club hands.

“We came off the bike together and I went with him for a lap but then held it back a little knowing I can’t maintain this pace for long because I haven’t put in the training.”

Canada’s Paralympic bronze medallist Leanne Taylor continued her return to international racing after taking the 2025 season off to have her first child.

The 33-year-old from Oak Bluff, Man. finished just off the podium in fourth in the women’s PTWC wheelchair race. Australia’s Lauren Parker captured the gold medal in 1:03:57. Taylor’s time was 1:08:37.

Canada’s mixed relay team of Desirae Ridenour of Cowichan Bay, B.C., Tyler Mislawchuk of Oak Bluff, Montreal’s Isla Britton and Charles Paquet of Port-Cartier, Que., placed ninth.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2026.

The Canadian Press