Nikita Ens Explained

Sport:Paralympic swimming
Disability Class:S3
Club:Saskatoon Lasers
Birth Date:19 October 1988
Birth Place:Vancouver, Canada
Height:185 cm

Nikita Ens (born October 19, 1988) is a Canadian Paralympic swimmer who competes in international swimming competitions. She is a World silver medalist and has competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.[1] [2]

Early life and education

Nikita Ens was born in 1988 to parents Rod and Monica Ens. She attended Carpenter High School and was a high school provincial champion in shot put in 2006.[3] [4] In 2010, she graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor of science in biology. She is pursuing a master’s degree in theological studies.[5]

Career

After becoming paralyzed, Ens trained in track and field with the Saskatoon Cyclones. She was a medallist at the Canadian nationals. She made the standards for the Rio 2016 Paralympics but did not compete.[6]

Ens began para-swimming in 2017 and joined the Saskatoon Lasers Swim Club, training under Eric Kramer.[7] She made her major international debut at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships, where she competed in the 100-metre freestyle S3, the 50-metre freestyle S4, the 50-metre backstroke S3, and the 150-metre individual medley SM4.[8] Going into Worlds, she held the Canadian records in S3 100-metre freestyle and 50-metre backstroke. She broke her record for the 100-metre freestyle S3 and qualified for two finals.

In June 2021, she competed in a para swimming World Series event in Germany, setting new personal best times in the 100-metre breaststroke SB2 and 200-metre freestyle S3. She made her Paralympic debut at the Tokyo Paralympics. She posted personal bests in all her races, but finished ninth in her heats the 50-metre backstroke S3 and the 100m freestyle S3 events, failing to post a top eight time to qualify for the finals.

She won a silver medal in the women's 200-metre freestyle S3 at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships. At the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships, Ens placed fifth in the women's 200-metre freestyle S3 and in the 50-metre backstroke SB2.[9] She will represent Canada at the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Personal life

Ens became a C5 paraplegic in February 2014 following a car crash with an impaired driver near Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan.[10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 14 June 2024. Nikita Ens - Canadian Paralympic Committee. Canadian Paralympic Committee.
  2. Web site: 14 June 2024. Nikita Ens - Swimming Canada. Swimming Canada.
  3. Web site: Ambroziak . Phil . 2022-06-23 . Former M.L. athlete takes silver at Para Swimming worlds . 2024-08-07 . Northern Pride . en-CA.
  4. Web site: Lehmann . Logan . 2024-06-24 . Meadow Lake swimmer set to don maple leaf at Paris 2024 Paralympics . 2024-08-07 . saskNOW . en.
  5. Web site: Shewaga . James . 2024-07-24 . PATH TO PARIS: A second chance in France for USask alum Ens . 2024-08-07 . USask News . en.
  6. Web site: Flaherty . Ryan . 2021-08-26 . Father’s ‘kick in the butt’ set Nikita Ens on path to Tokyo Paralympics . 2024-08-07 . Global News . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2021-05-08 . Para swimmer Nikita Ens and her mom share equal admiration for each other . 2024-08-07 . Canadian Paralympic Committee . en-US.
  8. Web site: Holder . Bronwen . 2021-08-27 . PREVIEW: Tammy Cunnington and Nikita Ens in Paralympic women's swimming . 2024-08-07 . The Toronto Observer . en-CA.
  9. News: 2023-08-05 . Canada's Rivard successfully defends 100m freestyle title at Para swimming worlds . 2024-08-06 . CBC.
  10. Web site: 9 August 2018. Athlete sets swim records. Northern Pride.
  11. News: Roblin . Scott . 2023-08-16 . Meadow Lake swimmer Nikita Ens on track for second Paralympics . 2024-08-06 . CBC.