Congratulations to incoming ASL Instructor David Morton, who has qualified for the 20th Winter Deaflympics. David begins his appointment as an Instructor in the School of Linguistics and Language Studies in January 2024, and will be traveling to Ankara, Turkey, in March 2024 to represent Canada in curling.
David holding a 2023 Canadian Deaf Mixed Doubles Curling Championships for Ontario medal
“My first experience in curling was when I was 16 through high school in Belleville, and I took the step from my mother who had played curling at the military base. In 2002, my first national participation was the Canadian Deaf Curling Championships in Halifax while playing for Ontario. My men’s team of Ontario had failed to qualify for the 18th Winter Deaflympics, however I was selected as an alternative player for Team Canada – my first experience participating in the international event. We were on the second place podium as China beat us by one point.”
This year brings a new additional discipline in curling, mixed doubles, which is a first for the Deaflympics since there have only ever been two disciplines in curling: men’s and women’s.
Before the national event of mixed doubles, David was participating in the national curling trials for the men’s discipline with his four-format team. For the upcoming 2024 Winter Deaflympics, David and his team partner will represent Team Canada Mixed Doubles Curling.
“Representing Canada again at the winter Deaflympics is an honour, as it will be my second time participating in the Deaflympics. My team partner, Jordan Morrison, and I will work hard to bring home the gold. Showing the Red Leaf is always a thrilling feeling for me. I am going to wear the uniform of Canada at the world stage.”
Please join us in congratulating David and wishing him the best of luck in 2024!