First wheelchair athlete competes in North Bay Triathlon

Jordan Mino flies down the track during the 6th annual North Bay Triathlon.

The heat was on as over 100 athletes gave it their all during the 6th annual North Bay Triathlon held at Olmstead Beach on Trout Lake.

The competitors began on the shore of Trout Lake. When the horn blew they all plunged into the cold lake, beginning the long hard fought race of swimming, biking and running.

For Jordan Mino (18), a member of team Huff, Puff & Wheel Away and the first ever wheelchair athlete to participate in the event, it almost seemed to be the launching point or the beginning of something bigger. He competed in the running section of the triathlon.

“I just think it’s the most incredible thing ever. It’s a great experience and its fun meeting all these people,” Mino said about the triathlon.

“Maybe it will start something bigger with other wheelchair athletes in the city,” he said about himself being the first wheelchair athlete to compete in the North Bay Triathlon.

Mino explained that he really wants to encourage more wheelchair athletes to compete in as many sports as they can. He says participating in different sports and activities has a good affect on his mindset in life.

“It’s a great confidence booster and it’s just good to get out there and do something. You feel good about yourself,” he says.

Mino explained that when people tell him he can’t do something because he’s in a wheelchair he tells them “Yes I can”.

“I can do anything I put my mind to,” Mino said.

Mino trained twice a week for four weeks for the triathlon. He would go over the course to get a feel for what was to come.

“It was tough at first but I got better at it each time. It got easier to climb the hills,” he explained.

Chantal Brousseau, Mino’s Education Assistant and part of his cheering section, thinks because Mino is participating in the event that it will bring more awareness to wheelchair athletes.

“If anything it opens the doors for other wheelchair athletes and it makes the rest of us very aware that there are other wheelchair athletes that participate in these events,” Brousseau said.

Mino said his biggest role model is Canadian Wheelchair Olympian Jeff Adams. Adams is a two-time Olympian, four-time Paralympian, six-time World Champion, and former World Record Holder in the 1500 m men's wheelchair event. His 800 m gold in Sydney was a record-breaker. In 2002, he climbed the 1,776 steps of the CN Tower.

“His arms are huge. He’s ripped,” Mino laughed.

Carol Mino, Jordan’s Mother, was also part of the cheering section for Jordan.

“I’m very proud of him. He’s always into something. He never sees his disability,” Mino said about her son.

“I started to see his competitive nature about five years ago when he started playing sledge hockey,” she added.

Mino has tried out for Team Canada’s Sledge Hockey Team and is hoping to one day play in the Nationals. He is currently debating whether or not to go on a triathlete circuit.

According to Mike Burke, Organizer of the event, there was 18 teams with 3 people on each team and then there was 100 individuals participating as well. He said that there were around 20 less teams this year compared to last year.

“Last year the weather conditions were really tough and that hurt it for this year but this year the conditions are spectacular. You couldn’t ask for a better day,” Burke said.