More medals for Special Olympics athletes in Abu Dhabi

In a busy day of competition New Zealand athletes have won a raft of medals at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.

Athletics

Janiece Pollock (Wellington) secured another gold medal for the athletics team in the 100m with a time of 16.24 seconds. Holly Jones (Thames Valley) won a silver medal in the 100m in a time of 31.84 seconds to go with her bronze in the mini javelin on Saturday. Dominic Faherty (Wellington) came 4th in the 400m. Head Coach Shona McGahan said that the team was delighted with the results from today and that she has seen the individuals grow so much since they were first selected to go to the World Summer Games and the results are the icing on the cake.

Swimming

It was a busy day in the pool with three medals in the butterfly. Deshan Walallavita (Te Awamutu) and Liam Bartley (North Otago) both secured gold medals in their divisions of the 50m butterfly. Melissa Donoghue (Waikato) also won a silver in the 50m butterfly. All three athletes were thrilled with their performances and are looking forward to more events in the pool tomorrow.

Equestrian

All three competitors competed in the equestrian team competed in the English Equitation discipline. Amy Batchelor (Canterbury) secured a silver medal and her teammates Alexander Goldsack (Bay of Islands) and Charlotte Aroa (Waikato) both came 4th in their division. Head Equestrian Coach Georgia Grimme was delighted with the results and most pleased with the development and confidence that the athletes have gained during their experiences at the World Summer Games.

Football

The football team had a busy last day of competition with a game in the morning against Pakistan and China in the afternoon. The team were gallant against a top of the table Pakistan and went down 4 -1 after Pakistan scored two late goals, and then later in the afternoon lost to China 4 – 2. The team unity, both on and off the field, has been a highlight for both the coaches and players.

Bocce

Today was the first day of competition for Natasha Nicholson (Manawatu) in the singles competition. Natasha played Pakistan in the morning, going down in a tight match 8 – 4 and then in the afternoon lost to a strong player from Italy 14 – 2, but came home with a bronze medal!

Photos are available on Special Olympics New Zealand’s Facebook page.

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