Grandfather’s Masters Games’ Medals Inspired World Champion

Grandfather’s Masters Games’ Medals Inspired World Champion

When 86 year old Watson Barkman from Dunedin teed off this morning in the New Zealand Masters Games Golf competition he was wished good luck by his granddaughter, Games Ambassador and former World Champion cyclist, Alison Shanks.

According to Alison, it was her grandfather’s Masters Games’ medals that first stirred her motivation towards medal winning performances.

“In 1994 I was at a regular Sunday night dinner at Nana and Grandad’s and I remember Grandad proudly showing us the bronze medals he had won at the Masters Games that day. That was the first ‘real’ medal I had ever held, I was just 11 years old, and looking back now, well, what it inspired me to do!

“Granddad now has a decent haul of Masters Games medals, four Bronze, two Silvers and three Golds. We are equal right now on three golds a piece, my two World championships and my Commonwealth Gold and his three Masters Games Golds. Of course he’s a got a chance this week to add to that and have Sunday night bragging rights!”

Watson will play 3 days of 18 hole golf at the Games and has the potential to take the lead in the Gold medal tally. The question is, would this motivate the world champion cyclist to come out of retirement?

“No I wouldn’t get the cycle out again I’ll just have to find something else to trump him in, maybe I’ll look at entering the Masters Games myself!”

In her fourth day as Games Ambassador, Alison has been enjoying officiating at medal presentations and mixing with competitors.

“The Games are an amazing experience; I love how they bring so many people together from near and far and from such a variety of sports. People will go home with great memories and some with Sunday night bragging rights!”

ENDS

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