When Korina Rothery crossed the finish line, she turned and looked behind her.

No other runner was close. She realized she’d won a gold medal for her country and tears began to stream.

“I said, ‘Oh my God, I’m in first!’ and just fell to the ground and cried,” she said, running her finger across the first of three gold medals she won at the World Dwarf Games this month.

The 21-year-old Newmarket resident was one of more than 20 Canadians who competed in at the games in Lansing, Michigan from Aug. 3 to 10 on the Michigan State University campus. With nearly 400 athletes from 17 countries, it was the largest contingent to participate since the event began 20 years ago.

And for the recent hairdressing school graduate, who stands four-feet, three-inches, it was a life-changing week.

Being a part of Team Canada — and one of six participants from Ontario — was a chance to be around people who saw no limitations and treated her as the regular person she is, she said.

Struggling with discrimination and stereotyping from some Newmarket residents, the fiery and passionate former circus acrobat artist and gymnast said the games were an opportunity to connect with people and build on her already high level of confidence.

“It was amazing to see all these little

people competing and pushing themselves to do their best,” she said. “

And while she was there to cheer on her teammates and represent her country, it didn’t take long for the athletes to form bonds and show support for one another.