Records tumble in the 2019 Global Games
Excitement rang out at the Brisbane Aquatics Centre on Wednesday (16 October) as another sensational round of finals delivered multiple records at the 2019 Global Games in Brisbane, Australia.
By Katie Hopkins
The standout performer on day four of swimming was Russia’s Artem Pavlenko.
The Russian won the men’s 200m breaststroke II1 in a world record time of 2:26.96.
Japan’s Taig Hayashida (2:30.98) and Toshiya Kako (2:33:09) completed the top three.
Pavlenko’s teammate Mikhail Kuliabin went on to impress in the men’s 100m butterfly II1, swimming a new Global Games record of 58.28 seconds. Australia’s Liam Schluter (59.18) also swam below the previous record for silver. South Korea’s Wong San Cho (59.58) was third.
The women’s 100m freestyle II1 saw Pernilla Lindberg (1:01.62) claim gold and a new Global Games record, just seconds ahead of Brazil’s Anna Soares who touched the wall at 1:01.65.
It was all smiles for home favourite Jack Dixon (1:17.41), in the men’s 100m butterfly II2 picking up his first medal of his Global Games campaign with bronze. France’s Axel Belig (1:15.88) claimed gold and Dixon’s teammate Colin Marks (1:16.68) followed for silver.
There was also an impressive performance in the women’s equivalent which saw 0.01 of a difference between gold and silver. It was France’s Cleo Renou (1:38.80) who touched first ahead of Spain’s De La Martinez (1:38.81) in a nail-biting finish.
Australia dominated in the 4x200m freestyle II1 relay events.
Jack Ireland, Mitchell Kilduff, Joshua Alford and Liam Schluter held a strong lead over nearest challengers, Hong Kong and Russia, to claim victory in the men’s, breaking the World Intellectual Impairment Sport record in 8:04.25.
Jade Lucy led the women’s relay team to gold in a new Global Games record of 9:21.35, with Madeleine McTernan, Paige Leonhardt and Amy Cook rounding out the quartet.
Russia were runners up with Brazil taking the bronze medal.
World records are subject to ratification by World Para Swimming.
Japan, Russia and France strike table tennis gold
By Aleasha Bliss
Another busy day at the Chandler Arena focused on the men’s and women’s II1, II2 and II3 team events.
Spectators were entertained with a nail-biting end to the day that saw Japan seizing the gold in the men’s team II1.
Japan’s Koya Kato took on Australia’s new men’s singles Global Games champion Sam Von Einem in a vocal and physically strong round with Kato cheering himself on with every point scored. Einem’s gold from yesterday could not help him conquer the court but the game was neck and neck until the very end.
Japan’s Takeshi Takemori played a strong game in the final round against Aussie Rory Carroll before he took the final victory.
Bronze went to France’s Lucas Creange, Antoine Zhao and Timothe Ivaldi and a combined Hong Kong – Hungary team of Ka Ho Fan, King Shing Yuen and men’s singles world No.2 Peter Palos.
The women’s II1 team saw gold to the Russians. Elena Prokofeva pocketed her second gold after winning the women’s singles just 24 hours before.
Between Prokofeva and team-mate Anzhelika Kosacheva the pair played a superior set against Poland. Krystyna Lysiak and Dorota Nowacka’s had to settle for silver.
Hong Kong’s star-studded team, which included Paralympic medallist Mui Wui Ng as well as Pui Kei Wong and Ting Ting Wong took bronze. Japan’s Kanami Furukawa, Maki Ito and Sayuri Mio joined them on the podium.
France left with golds in the mixed II3 and men’s and women’s II2.
England win Twenty20 cricket series
By Mitchell Kilduff
The English cricket team have emerged the victors from their five game series with Australia, winning their third clash at the Allan Border Field to put themselves out of reach with two days to spare.
Australia won the toss on Wednesday and elected to bat first. Their openers started well before a fantastic outfield catch – England’s Johnny Gale dived over the boundary line and flicked the ball back mid-air to Tayler Young who then caught the ball inside the field of play.
Australia looked as though they had the potential to post a big total however would unfortunately lose wickets just as things started to go their way.
Some hard running and hitting late by Connor Sheppard and Luke Goodman helped push Australia’s total up over a run a ball.
Australia’s 20 overs closed with the score at 7/126. Boyd Duffield made 26 and Jamie Phillips 22 to leave as top scorers.
England’s Thomas Wilson also came away with figures of 2/20 off his four overs.
In reply England’s run chase was hard and fast from ball one.
Ronnie Jackson set the tone with a blistering 54 off 25 balls before he was caught out by Connor Sheppard off the bowling of Luke Goodman.
At this point the English were in a strong position only six overs in.
However a mix up between Johnny Gale and Dan Bowser resulted in Bowser being runout for 0 and gave the Australians hope of reigning the English in.
However, Gale with Jack Perry and Chris Edwards, steadied the ship and managed to chase down the remaining runs in 11.1 overs. England finished 3/128 with Gale top scoring with 58 and Jackson making 54.
Jackson reflected on his innings after the match:
“Today I just came out with a positive mindset. I just had one of those feelings I was going to do well today and it turns out I did alright. From ball one I hit a four and it just seemed to be carrying on from there.”
Australia close outdoor rowing with a bang
By Makayla Bishop
Australia dominated day two of the rowing at the Coomera Watersports Club winning multiple medals.
Australian Mac Russell took home an impressive seven gold medals in 500m and 1000m mixed, single and double scull events.
The women’s 1000m single scull was claimed by Australian Lauren Webber, followed in second place Italy’s Elisabetta Tieghi and bronze for Australia’s Ruby Sutherland.
The women’s 500m single scull featured a win for Italy’s Serena Giorgetti with second going to Portugal’s Carla Silva.
Portugal and Australia face-off in basketball
Day four of basketball delivered Australia’s Gold’s latest victory in the women’s, taking their record to six wins out of six.
On Wednesday they overcame Israel 21-9. In contrast their teammates, competing for Australia Green, suffered two losses to Israel and Japan.
Japan look to be the main opponents for Australia Gold, also enjoying another win against France in their second match of the day, 11-8.
In the men’s Australia lead the standings but only on goal difference. Their closest rivals are world silver medallists Portugal.
The fierce competition between the two sides was played out at the Hibiscus Arena with a closely matched tie on Wednesday. There was little to separate the two teams for most of the match, but it was Australia who gained a slim one point advantage to take the win 67-66.
In the other match, world champions France took on Poland and secured a 65-45 victory.
Finals clashes set in tennis
The men’s and women’s singles II1 will reach their climax on Friday (17 October) following Wednesday’s semi-finals.
In the men’s singles, there was drama and disappointment for hosts Australia as their star player – and top seed – Archie Graham – was knocked-out by British world No.4 Dominic Iannotti.
Iannotti will now face teammate Fabrice Higgins for gold.
The women’s singles will feature a clash between Belgium’s top ranked player Hanne Lavreyson and Great Britain’s Anna McBride.
Iannotti and McBride will also get the chance to team-up and go for the title in the mixed doubles when they face Australia’s Mitchell James and Kelly Wren on Thursday (17 October).
