Sopotyk wins first medal at Canada Summer Games, has a shot at more

By Rob Mahon

For Kyrell Sopotyk, it’s been an incredibly quick turnaround.

Sopotyk has been training for wheelchair racing for just over a year, and in that time he’s not only earned a spot on Team Saskatchewan for the Canada Summer Games, he’s earned some hardware as well, winning a bronze medal in the men’s 1,500-metre wheelchair race.

“Obviously, it was super-exciting, just knowing all the hard work you put in paid off,” Sopotyk said Thursday. “(It was a) super-exciting feeling.”

After years in hockey, suddenly losing the use of his legs made for many changes in Sopotyk’s life. In just a year, however, he’s gone from learning the basics of wheelchair racing to being one of the top competitors in the country.

“It was definitely a big change, going from other sports like hockey into a wheelchair,” said Sopotyk. “But it’s still getting the hang of it. Some stuff is still tricky, it’s a lot of technique and stuff, but I’m getting more comfortable every time.”

Sopotyk lost the use of his legs in a snowboarding accident in January of 2021, but it didn’t take him long after the accident to decide he wanted to continue his athletic pursuits. In fact, he said the thought came to him quickly.

“As soon as I knew I was wheelchair-bound, my thought turned to wheelchair sports, and wheelchair racing suddenly interested me,” said Sopotyk. “I got in contact with a coach and it was pretty quick when I was out of the hospital that I was able to try it.”

As an accomplished hockey player, Sopotyk was familiar with the short-shift pace of that sport. Among the many adjustments he’s had to make is going from that type of endurance to long-distance competition.

“Just with practice, obviously you’re going to get your cardio up for a longer race and your endurance,” Sopotyk said. “I think it comes down to perseverance and determination, just pushing through. We also do other races at shorter distances too.”

Following the accident, Sopotyk spoke of excellent support from the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers and the city of Kamloops. As a former member of the male AAA Prince Albert Mintos, he felt the same thing from his old teammates, coaches and billet parents in P.A.

“The guys I played with, I’ve kept in touch with them and talked with them,” he said. “Fans, the city, all of them have been supporting me; you see it on social media. People reach out that you wouldn’t think of, so the message I’ve gotten from people and coaches, the support from there has been big too.”

Sopotyk is competing in the 100m final on Friday and on Saturday, he could also be in the 400m final.