Les grimpeurs para enthousiastes à l’idée d’être inclus dans les Jeux paralympiques

LA PRAIRIE, Que. Chaz Misuraca hopes his recent injuries are completely healed in time to be at peak condition when it’s time to chase a qualifying spot for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

The visually impaired Misuraca, from Stratford, Ont., was in action Saturday at the inaugural Para climbing national championships being held this weekend at Canyon Escalade in La Prairie situated on Montreal’s south shore.

On June 26, 2024, the International Paralympic Committee announced that Para climbing would be an official sport for the LA Games.

‘’ I’m very excited about my sport being added to the Paralympic program,’’ said Misuraca. ‘’After losing my vision, I soon had the dream of one day becoming a Paralympian.

‘’But I play blind hockey and rock climb. Unfortunately, both of those sports were not in the Paralympics at the time. So last year when they announced that rock climbing would be in the Paralympics, I thought finally, one of the sports that I compete in is going to be included.’’

Misuraca has undergone two surgeries in the past year and is regaining his full health.

‘’I hurt my hip a long, long time ago, due to martial arts and other sports, and I hurt my shoulder rock climbing. But I eventually decided to undergo surgery, I could hardly do a pull up at one point, and it’s kind of hard to be a international competitive rock climber in that condition.

“It actually made me become a more technical climber and helped me in that way. So now, once I fully heal, I’ll be stronger and more skillful.’’

With the strong possibility all visually impaired categories will be combined at the Games, Misuraca competed blindfolded for the first time on Saturday. His eyesight has gradually deteriorated due to a rare disease and is now measured at 10 percent vision.

‘’It does add a little more challenge to it,’’ he said about the blindfold. ‘’So I’m just going to have to work with the caller so we can get our communication clearer and quicker.’’

A caller is connected via a two-way headset to provide directions to the blind athlete during the climb.

Another visually impaired competitor Terry Hoddinott of London, Ont., is teamed with his wife of 33 years Patti. The extremely fit 61-year-old plans to reach new heights in 2028 by marching with Team Canada in the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony.

‘’As an athlete with visual impairment, I’m excited about Para climbing being included in the 2028 Paralympics and I’m training with the goal of participating,’’ said Terry, who lost his vision to retinoblastoma and has been blind since age three.

‘’We got into climbing on the recommendation of a neighbor. We quickly became passionate about the sport. Climbing is our preferred Para sport due to its supportive community.’’

Misuraca just edged Hoddinott in Saturday’s qualifying round. They’ll showdown again in Sunday’s final in the men’s B3 category.

Also in Saturday’s qualifying, Miranda Scott of London tied for first in the women’s RP2 (range of power: moderate impact) category while three Canadians advanced to the final in the men’s AL2 (Unilateral Lower Limb Amputee – prosthetics allowed) with Quebec’s Jesse Speed and Kevin Bolusi and Jeremy Ritchie of Strathroy, Ont., ranking second through fourth.

All finals are Sunday morning starting at 9 a.m. There are 30 entries at the competition from both Canada and the U.S.

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