World champion para-athlete Stefan Daniel has adjusted his training regime while competition is on hold and pools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, it was announced the Toyko Paralympic Summer Games have been pushed back a full year to August 2021

He's now looking forward to next year and pleased to see it won't interfere with other competitions leading up to the Paralympics.

"There was a possibility of it being in the spring, but it sounds like they're making it the exact same time next year, so that makes it easier for everyone."

The postponement may actually work to his advantage. He's only recently returned to training after sustaining a serious foot injury during the university cross-country season. 

"For me, I'm looking at it as a bit of a blessing in disguise. I don't have to rush coming back to full running with my foot, and having another year of training isn't a bad thing. I'm 23, so I'm still pretty young, and I'll be older next year. I think that will help me out, too."

He's adjusted his training.

"It took a pretty long time to rehab my foot after sustaining an injury in the fall, but I'm back to running quite a bit now."

"Since I don't have access to a pool right now, I've been focusing on the bike and doing as much as a can to stay in shape."

"I don't have any races on the calendar, so I'm just trying to be tough and make it through each day."

Born with bilateral radial club hands with his right arm significantly more affected, Daniel began triathlon after winning national titles in high school cross-country and gaining international experience in para-swimming. He won a bronze and silver medal in his first two trips to the Para-Triathlon World Championships. He has since won the last four world titles.

Daniel made history in 2016 by becoming the first Canadian triathlete ever to win a medal at the Paralympic Summer Games when the sport made its Paralympic debut in Rio de Janeiro. He won silver and aspires to turn that into gold in 2021.

Daniel is coming off another banner season with a series of first-place finishes around the globe. He's ranked number one and has been almost unbeatable in the last four seasons.

After successfully defended his world para-triathlon title in 2019, Daniel helped the Dinos team repeat as both the Canada West and USports male cross-country champions. He finished first in the Canada West cross-country championship race and 12th at the USports nationals.

His sponsors include Nike, Aquasphere, Garmin, and Toyota.