NZwins Bronze in Swimming at the Asia Pacific Deaf Games

New Zealand wins Bronze in Swimming at the Asia Pacific Deaf Games

Taoyuan, Taiwan, 10th October 2015 - Santana Chapman (17) of the Coastal Wanderers Swimming Squad, Kapiti Coast, has won two Bronze Medals in the 50m and 200m Breaststroke at the 8th Asia Pacific Deaf Games in Taoyuan, Taiwan. These are New Zealand’s first ever medals at the Asia Pacific Deaf Games, which has attracted 1,500 athletes from 22 countries.

Santana has been supported by her family, Grant Campbell - Swimming Coach, and Daniel Harborne - President for Deaf Sports New Zealand. These Games have provided an opportunity for Santana to meet and compete with other Deaf and hard of hearing athletes. “Representing New Zealand at the Asia Pacific Deaf Games has been a great experience for me, being able to meet new friends, and of course to be able to come home with two Bronze Medals! All my hard work has paid off.”

Santana also recorded three new personal best times; 0.55 seconds off her 50m Breaststroke time to record 40.45, 0.90 seconds off her 100m Breaststroke to record 1:31.74, and 2.20 seconds off her 200m Breaststroke time to record 3:17.32.

The 8th Asia Pacific Deaf Games is Santana’s second international swimming meet, the first being the 22nd Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2013. She now has her sights set on the 2017 Summer Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey.

Daniel Harborne, Deaf Sports New Zealand President, is looking forward to sending a strong New Zealand team to the Deaflympics. “We are excited to see Santana compete again at the 2017 Deaflympics in Turkey. We hope to have another successful New Zealand team, and bring home more medals”.

ends

© Scoop Media