Anthony Bouchard, the rising star of Quebec para-athletics

In January 2024, Anthony Bouchard dreamed of participating in the Paris Paralympic Games. He was far from suspecting that he would become one of the revelations of the competition, ending at the foot of the podium with a 4th place in the 100 m and a 6th place in the 400 m in para-athletics.

At his very first participation in the Games, he was already among the global elite of his discipline.

And the year 2025 is not to be outdone for this 32-year-old para-athlete, who continues his meteoric ascent in a sport that he started just five years ago.

This weekend, at the provincial para-athletics championships in Quebec, Bouchard has set new personal records, also winning first place in the 100 m, 200 m and 400 m. A most convincing performance.

But these exploits do not stop there. Last May, at the Grand Prix WPA From Nottwil, the Brunois broke the Canadian record at 100 m in the T52 category, with a time of 16.94 seconds, thus erasing a 27 -year -old brand (17.01 s).

The goal of the season was to break the Canadian record per 100m, which had been holding since 1998, he explains. My eyes were riveted on him.

This time would have earned him a silver medal at the 2024 paralympic games. He is now only 0.82 seconds from the world record held by the Belgian Maxime Carabin, reigning paralympic champion.

A time that he hopes to repeat, or outdoes, by the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

Ambitions that live up to talent

The main objective is really the JO Paralympic in 2028 says Anthony Bouchard. Gold, that’s for sure, it would be the top. We can’t hope better! We will see how it will happen, but certainly, a podium would be pleasant for the next games.

The athlete knows that targeting gold in Los Angeles is a long -term project. But it is based on constant progression, rigorous supervision and daily discipline to transform this ambition into a realistic objective.

Each season has enabled him to cross a level, and the next four years will be decisive to maximize his potential.

I am still impressed with what I managed to do with the little luggage I had. I started my career in 2020, so it left me four years to prepare for the Paris Games, which was still short enough. I am pleasantly surprised by what I was able to do with the time I had and then deliver my performance when the time comeshe explains.

Everything happened very quickly. Each season, I reached my big goals. So now, what’s fun is that over the next four years we can focus on the next games, and it takes a little pressure for the other stages.

One of his inspirations is also Dean Bergeron, a paralympian multiple from Saguenay, considered one of the most decorated athletes in the category. Bergeron participated in four paralympic games between 1996 and 2008, winning 11 medals, in addition to his eight podiums at the world championships.

Dean is the largest T52 that Canada has known. So it is sure that it would be my goal, and it is he that I look at for my career.

There, I had the Canadian record of the 100 m. Dean did not have it, but Dean has all other personal records. That’s my goal, I would like to have a few!he adds, with a smile.

The 100 m remains the favorite distance of Anthony Bouchard, the one on which he currently concentrates most of his efforts, and the one who saw him obtain his best results.

However, the international athlete does not neglect the other tests. Building on his success in Paris last year, he also wishes to win in the 200 m and 400 m, where he intends to expand his domination and consolidate his place among the best in his category.

Pending the big meeting of 2028, Bouchard keeps an eye on the next competition to come, starting with the national Canadian para-athletics championships, which will take place at the beginning of August.

He will then take over the management of New Delhi for the world championships, where he hoped to qualify again for the finals of a prestigious tournament.

In New Delhi, I would certainly like a final, and we are targeting the podiumunderlines the athlete of the Canadian team.

Paris: the transition to another level

The competition will be held between the end of September and the beginning of October, a little more than a year after the Paris Paralympic Games in 2024, a pivotal moment in the young career of Bouchard.

An event that Anthony Bouchard evokes with enthusiasm, and which has definitely propelled it among the best in the world. An invaluable experience, according to him.

It brought me to another level, it made me live more experiences. It gave me confidence, it also allowed me to see that when you concentrate, then when you arrive physically and mentally prepared, you will be able to deliver the goods.

I was able to rub shoulders with other Canadians who compete in other categories, then have discussions with people who have more experience than me, several games in your pockethe added.

But it is also the result of my training, day after day.

And this work is far from finished for the Quebec para-athlete, who still seeks to outdo himself.

With what we saw at the games, we have a little idea of the things we have to work on. Now just put the emphasis on it.