Exciting Action at the Ontario Summer Games in Waterloo

The Ontario Summer Games are happening right now in the Waterloo region, featuring over 4,000 athletes competing in 23 different sports and para sports.

This event occurs every two years and stands as the largest multi-sport gathering for youth in the province. It provides a platform for young athletes to compete and gear up for national and international events.

Waterloo last hosted the Ontario Summer Games back in 2002 and also welcomed the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games in 2024.

Baseball, hockey, golf, and soccer kicked off on Thursday before the opening ceremonies took place.

On Friday, all scheduled events were set to happen, though sailing at Conestogo Lake faced delays due to low wind conditions.

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo reporters attended various events throughout the games.

A competitor takes her canoe to the water at Guelph Lake Conservation Area on Friday morning. Guelph Lake was used for two events: canoe and kayak sprints as well as triathlon. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Conestoga College Doon Campus, Student Recreation Centre

The Student Recreation Centre at Conestoga College Doon Campus held two sporting events – table tennis and karate.

Athletes from various sports clubs across the province filled the center, waiting eagerly for their turn to compete.

In table tennis, there were even a couple of sets of sisters participating.

Sisters Julia and Amber Lin from Mississauga’s Elite Table Tennis club were among them, aiming just to have fun with their experience.

From left, sisters Julia Lin, 16, and Amber Lin, 14, are among those competing at the Ontario Summer Games 2026 table tennis tournament. The two started playing after their parents introduced them to the sport. (John Dalusong/CBC)

“I’m pretty happy that I’m here,” said Julia. “You get to spend more time with your friends.. it’s three days without parents.”

The sisters have faced off against some fellow competitors who have turned into friends over time.

“I just hope I do well,” said Amber. “Just enjoy myself.”

A table tennis athlete celebrates after scoring against their opponent during the Ontario Summer Games 2026 at Conestoga College Doon Campus’ Student Recreation Centre. (John Dalusong/CBC)

In karate, Sophie Makrygiannis participates in an event called kata where she performs a choreographed series of defensive and offensive movements focusing on style and form.

Sophie began practicing karate when she was three years old. Now at age 13, she’s competed in several major tournaments including Canadian national competitions and Pan-American championships.

Kata routines like Sophie’s don’t involve any contact but require intense focus along with flawless execution of movements.

Sophie feels excited about competing alongside her friends but shifts her attention solely on her performance when it’s time to compete.

“When I meet them on the mats it’s like we don’t know each other,” she said. “It’s pretty much like any other ordinary competitor.”

Sophie Makrygiannis, 13, represents Oakville’s Toraguchi Martial Arts at the U14 kata female event. The event focuses on choreographed combination of offensive and defensive moves graded on execution. (John Dalusong/CBC)

Adit Palanisamy Arun competes for Arun Martial Arts based out of Mississauga. At just 14 years old he’s already gained considerable experience from numerous international competitions including a fifth-place finish at last year’s world karate championship.

Both his parents hold black belts in karate.

“It was just automatic for me,” he says about how he got into martial arts.

This year during summer games Arun is taking part in kumite sparring which judges clean contact made with an opponent’s body.Adit Palanisamy Arun, left, represents Arun Martial Arts out of Mississauga. The 14-year-old is a high-level karate athlete who competes internationally. (John Dalusong/CBC)

Like many other athletes participating this year Arun aims to improve himself regardless of how he finishes.

“My mindset on the mat is [that] the result doesn’t matter if you win or lose,” he explained regarding his approach this time around. “Just focus on taking risks and doing your best.”

Taking on new challenges in track and field

Thirteen-year-old Mariia Lapshykova from Sudbury is stepping outside her comfort zone by challenging herself at this provincial competition this weekend.

Normally involved with volleyball as well as taekwondo Mariia decided it was time to give track events along with shot put a shot too!

“Track is just really quick and everything happens in a split second,” she told .’WATCH | Thirteen-year-old Mariia Lapshykova on why she likes track:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1785535727_723_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/

Sudbury athlete takes on new challenges at Ontario Summer GamesSudbury’s Mariia Lapshykova is among thousands of young athletes competing this weekend in Ontario Summer Games across Waterloo region along with Guelph area. Mariia’s main sports include volleyball plus taekwondo yet now she’s attempting both track along with shot put within these provincial competitions while chatting briefly about why new experiences matter.

Other running events held simultaneously included sprint hurdles, long jumps, and javelin contests taking place at Kitchener Resurrection Catholic Secondary School.

Events like long jump were one of many happening at Resurrection Catholic Secondary School in Kitchener this weekend for the 2026 Ontario Summer Games.(Carmen Groleau/CBC)Tweens compete fiercely during girls’100 metre hurdles competition.

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