2016 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Tennis Championships begin in USA
Sea Colony Beach and Tennis Resort, Delaware USA, sees the worlds top tennis players with an intellectual disability compete at the 2016 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Championships this week. The Championship takes place June 13 through 18. Players from the United States, Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic and Italy will compete for men’s and women’s singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team honors.
Kelly Wren of Australia will attempt to continue her multi-year unbeaten streak in women’s singles. Brittany Tagliareni of the USA hopes to unseat Wren after a very competitive finals last year in Ecuador. The men’s side is also led by an Australian, Archie Graham, the current world champion with tough competition expected from his countryman Mitchell James as well as strong players from the Czech Republic and USA. Belgium, USA and Australia will renew battles fought in women’s and mixed doubles in previous events in France, Australia and Ecuador while newcomer Italy looks to garner medals for their home country.
Amaury Russo, Board President of Inas, the international federation for athletes with intellectual disability and the governing body of the event, will attend. According to Russo, “We are so pleased to have this event hosted in Delaware USA. We know the facility is top rate and the organization of the event is excellent. The tennis will be fantastic and I invite the community to come and see these fantastic players from around the world.”
Barry Holman, President of Athletes Without Limits, the US member of Inas, notes that “Sea Colony is an exceptional location to host the Inas World Tennis Championships, the first-ever such event held in the US. The Sea Colony Tennis Center is first-rate and Thomas Johnston and his staff, as well as the Resort Quest staff have been outstanding in helping us plan the event for the players and their families. We are very grateful as well for the other national event sponsors such as the Professional Tennis Registry, Skratch Labs, Champion System and the Kim and Don Richards Family Foundation. The local community has stepped up as well with volunteer ball kids, medical service and helping provide meals for the players. This will be a very exciting week!”
The tournament is run under the rules of the International Tennis Federation and will be officiated by USTA professional chair umpires. Players must meet eligibility requirements set by the International Paralympic Committee and Inas. Semi-finals will take place June 17 with Finals and medal ceremonies on June 18. The public is encouraged to attend and it is free to spectators.
