Photo of Virtus Academy Manager

New Virtus appointment will help make the invisible – visible, through research and education.

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Virtus is delighted to welcome its newest member to the team. 

Ms. Debbie van Biesen joins as the Virtus Academy Manager – a new initiative to develop a global hub of research, training and education to be launched in 2021. 

After seven years of full-time postdoctoral research at KU Leuven (Belgium), Debbie will divide her time across both organisations, leveraging on international, and evidenced-based knowledge of elite athletes with intellectual disability and autism. She has published more than 25 peer-reviewed scientific articles in top journals in her field.  

Debbie said her most important value is being able to generate impact with her work and helping to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities.  

“I am excited to join Virtus and to apply my life’s work to generate advancements in the pursuit of greater access and development of sports pathways for athletes with an intellectual impairment,” she said. 

Virtus Executive Director, Nick Parr, said the appointment of the Virtus Academy Manager is part of Virtus’ next four-year strategic plan and a demonstration of the global effort to raise awareness and grow opportunities for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment. 

“I congratulate and welcome Debbie to Virtus. Her experience as part of KU Leuven is highly valued towards raising the profile of the eligibility and classifications for athletes with an intellectual impairment.” 

Debbie specialised in the domains of ‘Adapted Physical Activity’ and ‘Disability Sport’. The focus of her research was on the role of cognition on sports performance, among elite Paralympic athletes with intellectual disabilities. 

During her PhD, she contributed to the development of evidence-based classification systems for elite athletes with intellectual disability (ID), that led to their re-inclusion in the Paralympic Games. Afterward, she was appointed as the coordinator of the “International Research and Development Centre for Classification of Athletes with Intellectual Impairments”, which was officially recognised by the International Paralympic Committee. In that position, she coordinated a collaborative network of national and international research groups and representatives of sports organisations, to perform cutting-edge research with an impact on society. 

Debbie has broad expertise as a researcher, beyond evidence-based classification. She was involved in numerous projects related to coaching para-athletes, psychosocial aspects of disabilities, health-enhancing physical activity, and performance optimisation.  

Besides research in the field of adapted physical activity, she is also passionate about teaching & coaching. She is an experienced teacher, with expertise in academic settings (Bachelor Rehabilitation Sciences, Master Physical Education and Movement Sciences, International Master Adapted Physical Activity) and non-academic settings (Flemish Trainers School, Center of Adapted Sports). 

Results of the 2019 Para-Equestrian video competition announced

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Maximilian Abing (GER) has topped the results of the 2019 Para-Equestrian video competition it was confirmed today. Riding ‘Sir Rubenstein’, the German rider collected an overall score of 67.586%, ahead of Sonia Villalba (ESP) in silver place with a score of 67.500% and Ekaterina Kirienkova (RUS) who collected bronze scoring 66.461%.

This is the 3rd annual video competition which allows riders to compete at their local club or competition.

Read the full results here.

 

 

#Brisbane2019: Final fever hits the basketball, track cycling makes debut

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One of the most hotly anticipated events of the 2019 INAS Global Games – the men’s and women’s basketball finals – delivered drama galore on the closing day in Brisbane, Australia, on Saturday (19 October).

Going into the women’s gold medal match, the general impression was that world champions Australia Gold would take the win over Japan.

However the Japanese turned the tables on the hosts in a close game.

Determined to make their mark early on, Australia Gold opened the scoring in the first 30 seconds. Japan soon replied in a gripping match where both teams matched each other point for point.

But it was Japan that found their inner beasts and scored the final point to win the game by the slimmest of margins.

Tempers flared in the bronze medal game between Australia Green and France.

In a brutally physical tie, players went flying all over the court. However Australia emerged the victors from the tense battle, wiping out France 12-7.

Australia also had interest in the men’s final, taking on Worlds silver medallists Portugal.

The players wowed the crowds with the quarter totals being 28-12, 44-24, 83-39, 94-68.

Australia did not stand a chance against the full force of a Portuguese side on the march. Star players from Portugal were Fabio Pinto Soares scoring 22 points and Ruben Xavier Couto Santos with 19.

Australia’s best male player of the match was again Jake De La Motte with 16 points.

The final score was 94-68.

World champions France regrouped from the disappointment of missing out on the final to win bronze against Poland 88-48.

Standout players were France’s Junior Ndelo Maduka with an impressive double-double consisting of 20 rebounds and 12 points scored. Team-mate Lorenzo Moonca shone in the points department scoring them 23 of their total score.

Poland’s Patryk Nowakowski scored the highest points for his country totalling 17.

Basketball reporting from Aleasha Bliss

Booth and Tufino sweep track cycling golds

An exciting morning at the Anna Meares Velodrome saw Great Britain’s Lauren Booth and Ecuador’s Eric Tufino claim all three golds in the historic Global Games debut of track cycling.

Booth kept her focus and her head down throughout her trio of events, cementing her incredible performance in the road events earlier in the week.

One win came after another in the time trial, sprint and pursuit.

Tufino also started the day hoping to add to his gold medal from the road race. He rode to his limit to step onto the top step of the podium three times.

INAS transforms into Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (INAS) revealed a new look, name and values on Saturday (19 October) that will take it into an exciting new era.

Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport was unveiled at the closing ceremony of the 2019 Global Games in front of hundreds of athletes, coaches and dignitaries.

The new brand was presented by the organisation’s President, Marc Truffaut.

“Times are changing,” Truffaut said. “Awareness of Para sports is at an all-time high. The global movement for sport for people with intellectual impairments is becoming more professional. The standard of competition is improving all the time.

“But one thing never changes: the character, excellence, courage and integrity of the athletes we serve.”

Truffaut was referring to the characteristics which Virtus, a Latin word, embodies. These are being used as the values that motivate Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport to carry out its work.

Virtus is also the name being given to the new emblem of the organisation. This combines the athlete values with the role that it carries out on a global stage.

“As one of the leading bodies for the governance, advocacy, organisation and promotion of sport and athletes with intellectual impairments, our new identity reflects our important work in helping them reach their best,” Truffaut said.

“We must own the important place we have within Para sport as well as the Paralympic Movement, as one of the founding members.

“We are proud to launch our new look and values which represents both the characteristics of the athletes and the work that we, and all our members, do in helping them to live those values.”

INAS announced it would be rebranding in 2018 to make its role and purpose clearer, as well as gain a more exciting image.

The closing ceremony of Brisbane 2019 was chosen for the launch to reflect the fact that the Global Games have become the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments.  Nearly 1,000 athletes from 50 countries competed in 10 sports this year.

Many will follow in the footsteps of competitors who have gone on to win medals at the Paralympic Games. For others the Global Games are the highest level they can compete at.

More information about the new brand can be found at www.virtus.sport/newbrand

#Brisbane2019: Trio of world records sees swimming end on a high

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One of the busiest days on the schedule at the 2019 Global Games wrapped up with three world records in swimming in Brisbane, Australia, on Thursday (17 October).

Trio of world records sees swimming end on a high

By Katie Hopkins

The crowd turned out for the fifth and final day of events at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre where emotions ran high and records rained down.

Australia’s Liam Schluter once again impressed in the pool, setting a new world record in the men’s 1,500m freestyle II1 in a blistering time of 14:41.40. Compatriot Joshua Alford (17:13.17), claimed silver and Hong Kong’s Hon Yin Wong (17:32.25) rounded off the podium.

In the women’s equivalent Russia’s Valeriia Shabalina (17:32.74) finished her campaign on a high by also breaking the world record. Australia’s Jade Lucy (18:55.91) finished runner up with Hong Kong’s Sui Kei Cheong (19:36.68) closing out third place.

Shabalina went on to contribute to Russia’s Global Games record victory (4:54.57) in the women’s 4x100m medley II1. Fellow teammates Olga Poteshkina, Elizaveta Barbatina and Vlada Starovoitova stormed down the pool to finish ahead of nearest challengers Japan (4:57.40) and Australia (4:57.77).

South Korea (4:11.44) tasted victory in the men’s 4x100m medley II1 relay, clinching gold off Hong Kong (4:11:71) to set the third and final world record of the night. The bronze went to Japan in 4:12.87.

Further success came Hong Kong’s way in the women’s 200m butterfly II1. Yui Lam Chan clocked a new World Intellectual Impairment Sport record of 2:33.46 whilst compatriot Ho Ying Cheung touched the wall at 2:40.38. Japan’s Moemi Kinoshita (2:45.10) completed the top three.

Spain’s Michelle Alonso Morales (33.48) ended her Brisbane 2019 campaign with a Global Games record in the women’s 50m breaststroke II1. Morales continues to hold onto the record which she set in 2016.

Brazil’s Debora Carneiro claimed the silver medal, clocking a time of 36.38. Australian favourite Paige Leonhardt’s (37.12) performance proved enough to hold off compatriot Ashley Van Rijswijk to claim the last spot on the podium.

Australia took their own golden slice of the action courtesy of Gabriel Howells (44.86) in the women’s 50m breaststroke II3. The Faroe Islands’ Signa Joensen (45.44) was second and Australian Sarah Wallace (55.55).

In the men’s 50m breaststroke II2 Spain celebrated as Ortiz Hernandez (42.48) touched in first. France’s Raphael Dutay (43.08) was second. Australia’s Bradley Doolan (44.43) took bronze.

All world records are subject to ratification by World Para Swimming.

Record-breaking day on track at athletics

By Maddie Mainwaring

The penultimate day of action on the track and field saw stellar performances in a number of events.

In the women’s discus II1 both the gold and silver medallist threw over the Global Games and World Intellectual Impairment Sport world record marks.

France’s Gloria Agblemagnon, came first with an incredible 43.63m, followed by Ecuador’s shot-put Paralympian Poleth Mendes Sanchez (43.15m). China’s Yang Zhao came in third with 37.63m.

Agblemagnon’s compatriot Nawa Adama took home gold with a time of 13.17 in the women’s 100m II1. Thailand’s Sukanya Charswat (13.22) followed ahead of Brazil’s Jardenia da Silva.

France took home another gold when Quentin Foratier (9:57.24) came first in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase II1. Great Britain’s Sam Fernando followed in second with a personal best of 9:58.82, and Spain’s Manuel Gomez Lucas came in third with 10:36.50.

Brazil’s Samuel Dias Conceicau (14.13m) claimed victory in the men’s triple jump II1. Portugal’s Lenine Cunha (13.11m) added one more medal to his career haul with silver. Ecuador’s Roberto Carlos Chala Espinoza (12.91) completed the podium.

Japan won gold in men’s javelin II1 with Taichi Saito’s 55.71m effort. Poland’s Piotr Rydzkowski came in second with 49.23m, and Finland’s Jani Petteri Tissari was third with 44.29m.

In the women’s long jump II1 Russia’s Aleksandra Ruchkina took home another medal after coming first with 5.41m. Fellow Russian Irina Potekhina (5.21m) was second and Portugal’s Ana Filipe (5.07m) third.

Cycling trifecta for France

By Aleasha Bliss

The third and final day of road cycling proved to be a day of shock wins and excitement with the women’s 5km and men’s 10km individual time trials taking place at the Murrarie Recreation Centre.

The standout race for the day had France demonstrating their strong and powerful team by blocking out the podium in the men’s 10km individual time trial.

The French were overcome with emotion as they realised what had happened. There was crying, hugging, jumping and chanting as the group celebrated their incredible sweep.

Leo Collet smashed his ultimate goal of improving on his seventh place finish from the 2017 Cycling World Championships, taking the top prize in an impressive 13:42.74. His average race speed was 43.76km/h.

Worlds bronze medallist Jeremey Teixeira Periera (13:55.29) was awarded silver. Third place went to Jean Claude Thievent (14:12.36).

The trio said they were “very happy, proud and it was a dream to represent France.”

The women’s 5km individual time trial saw Great Britain’s Lauren Booth (7:18.17) claim an incredible third Global Games gold medal.

Teammate and defending champion Kiera Byland (7:30.26) received her second silver alongside Monday’s team time trial gold. The bronze went to Russian Irina Nikitina whose time was 7:51.54.

Gold medallist Lauren Booth said she was excited to participate in the event for the first time.

“I can’t believe I’ve won three gold medals,’ the British rider said.

Cyclists will now take a break before the exciting debut of track cycling at the Anna Meares Velodrome on Saturday (19 October).

Great Britain take tennis upperhand

By Aleasha Bliss

Great Britain enjoyed another gold at the Queensland Tennis Centre, topping the podium in the mixed doubles II1.

Great Britain’s top seeds Dominic Iannotti and Anna McBride took gold when they defeated Australia’s Mitchell James and Kelly Wren in straight sets 6-2 6-2.

Bronze was awarded to Australia’s Archie Graham and Carla Lenarduzzi. They defeated compatriots Joshua Holloway and Yasmin Sanders in a nail-biting match 6-2 2-6 [10-8].

Friday will see the gold medal matches for men’s and women’s single matches II1 and II2 and men’s and women’s doubles II1.

McBride will face Belgium’s Hanne Lavreyson in the women’s singles II1.

In the women’s doubles II1 Lenarduzzi and Wren will go for the title against Sanders and Kathryn Wilson.

Graham will team-up with James in the men’s doubles II1 final to take on Iannotti and Fabrice Higgins.

Later on Iannotti and Higgins will switch from teammates to opponents for gold in the men’s singles II1.

Finally an all-Australia clash for the title in the men’s singles II2 will see Timothy Gould and Timothy Walsh face-off for gold.

Semi-final face-offs set in basketball

Australia have a triple shot on gold in both the men’s and women’s competition.

In the women’s both their Green and Gold teams will play in Friday’s semi-finals.

Australia Gold, the reigning world champions, will play 2017 Worlds bronze medallists France for a place in the final.

Australia Green are the 2017 runners-up and will play an up-and-coming Japan side.

In the men’s the hosts’ table-topping performance was rewarded with a semi-final clash against world title-holders France.

Portugal, the European champions, will play Poland.

Futsal nears climax

By Makayla Bishop

The futsal final is also set after a day of gripping games in Brisbane.

The semi-final between reigning world champions Portugal and Poland was a fight to finish.

Portugal started off strong during the first half, scoring a total of five goals with only one in reply coming from their opponents.

So far Portugal have held their form, winning all their matches except for a tie with Saudi Arabia on day three in an 18-goal thriller.

During the second half Poland reduced the deficit by two. But it was not enough as the Portuguese added three more to bring the final score to 8-3.

Portugal will face Saudi Arabia for gold after they beat France 7-4.

England claim fourth Twenty20 victory

By Mitchell Kidd

With England declared the winners of the five-day international cricket series after their third win against Australia on Wednesday (16 October), both sides were playing for honours on Thursday.

Despite the overall result already decided, neither team were prepared to sit-back. A thrilling match ensued at the Allan Border Field.

England won the toss and elected to bat. They looked as though they were going to carry on at the same rate of scoring as they did yesterday.

Ronnie Jackson made a quickfire 32 before getting caught out by Haydn Brumm off the bowling of Jesse Goodman.

Today was Dan Bowser’s day again though as he fell just short of his century with 99 not out.

Brumm was the best of the Australian bowlers with 1/31 off his four overs as England amassed a total of 2/202 off their 20.

Australia’s run chase started poorly with Boyd Duffield getting bowled in the first ball of their innings by Tayler Young.

Brumm and Gavin Hicks made it to the halfway point of their innings but still needed 149 if Australia were to win from their last 10 overs.

From there both men decided to turn on the style which put huge pressure back on the English. That included 21 scored by the pair off the 15th over and an outrageous six hit by Hicks on to the roof of the Matthew Hayden Grandstand in the 17th over.

The match looked as though it was going down to the wire with three overs to go. Australia needed 40 to win with Hicks and Brumm in full flight. However, some great bowling by Chris Edwards in the 18th saw only six runs scored and began to turn the tide back in England’s favour.

Young then came back on in the 19th and took the wickets of both Brumm and Hicks which halted Australia’s momentum.

Australia finished their 20 overs 27 runs short of the target at 6/176.

Records tumble in the 2019 Global Games

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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).

#Brisbane2019: Von Einem shocks Palos to take gold

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Australia’s Sam Von Einem claimed an incredible home table tennis gold at the 2019 Global Games in Brisbane on Tuesday (15 October).

Von Einem, the world No.4 and Paralympic silver medallist, beat Hungarian European and Worlds silver medallist Peter Palos. Palos is two places above the Australian in the current II1/class 11 International Table Tennis Federation world rankings.

Their clash ended 3-0.

“It’s a very special feeling. It’s my first time being able to play in my home country with my home crowd. It was a good feeling to have people there supporting me, school kids etc. It was a good feeling.

“It’s a good win, a good confidence building win to be able to beat a couple of players above me. It gives me good confidence going into Tokyo.”

Von Einem enjoyed a great path to the final as he also overcame French world No.3 Lucas Creange 3-1 in the semis.

Creange finished with bronze alongside Japan’s Takeshi Takemori. The Japanese will be pleased with his medal less than one year ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

The women’s singles II1/class 11 went to form as Russia’s No.1 seed Elena Profokeva took gold.

Profokeva faced Hong Kong’s unranked Ting Ting Wong in the final, beating her 3-0.

Poland’s Dorota Nowacka was third. Hong Kong’s Paralympic bronze medallist Mui Wui Ng joined her on the podium.

Day three of swimming delivered a new set of record-breaking performances as athletes in the II1 category prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Australian Paralympian Liam Schluter triumphed in the men’s 200m freestyle II1, beating Hong Kong’s Paralympic champion Wai Lok Tang (1:57.19) to the wall in a new Global Games record of 1:56.52. The previous record was held by bronze medallist and teammate Jack Ireland (2:00.20).

Russia’s Mikhail Kuliabin, Viacheslav Emeliantsev, Elizaveta Barbatina and Valeriia Shabalina broke the mixed 4×100 metre freestyle II1 relay Global Games record. They shaved 10 seconds of the previous time to finish in 3:49.73.

Shabalina is showing no signs of slowing down, taking home another two golds in the 200m backstroke II1 (2:26.08) and 200m freestyle II1 (2:09.57) with two new Global Games records.

Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg (2:11.54) followed the Russian for silver in the 200m free. Australia’s Amy Cook (2:20.42) took bronze.

“I felt much more relaxed than I did this morning. It was a personal best and a Swedish record” – Lindberg said of her medal win.

The men’s 50m butterfly II1 was a fight to the finish between Russian teammates Emeliantsev and Kuliabin (26.40) but it was the former who rose victorious in a Global Games 26.16 record finish.

In the women’s equivalent, Hong Kong’s Yui Lam Chan placed first in an impressive 30.42 seconds, breaking both World and Global Games records.

Muratov takes dramatic gold

By Maddie Manwaring

A nail-biting finish in the men’s 400m II1 saw Russia’s Artem Muratov take gold.

Muratov took the lead early on, but Spain’s Deliber Rodriguez overtook him on the bend and looked to be streaking away. Out of nowhere Muratov increased his stride on the straight and reeled the Spaniard in, just managing to dip in first in 40.90 seconds – 0.03 ahead of Deliber.

Cape Verde’s Gracelino Barbosa (50.54) also had a close fight for bronze, just edging Australia’s Alberto Campbell into bronze.

France’s Gloria Agblemagnon won the women’s shot put II1 with a 12.62m second throw. Russia’s Aleksandra Zaitseva was the closest to the Frenchwoman, but her best of 12.57m was only enough for silver. Another French athlete, Aminata Camara (10.66m), was third.

In the men’s long jump, Malaysia’s Abdullah Zulkify triumphed with a leap of 6.84m. Ecuador’s Chala Espinoza Robe (6.67m) took the silver followed by Japan’s Kanta Kokuba (6.49m).

In men’s 100m II1 finals Italy’s Raffaele Di Maggio won gold, crossing the finish line in an impressive 10.93 seconds. Japan’s Kanta Kokubo came in second, and Ecuador’s Robe Chala Espinoza third.

The men’s 200m sprint II3 saw an impressive run from Australia’s Jacob Sesar, the crowd going wild as he crossed the finish line in first place in 22.13. Egypt’s Aly Abdullah came in second with 26.18s.

In the women’s 200m sprint II1 finals Japan’s Aimi Toyama and Rio Kawaguchi came in first and second place respectively. Brazil’s Jardenia da Silva was third, beating Yuki Suzuki by 0.07, preventing Japan from taking out the trifecta.

In the women’s heptathlon II1 Australia’s Ebonie Cooper took home gold with a score of 2364, Virginie Dreux of France came second with 1885, and Australian Belinda Slatter came in third with 1524.

Cooper came in first place in five of the seven heptathlon events, and second in the other two.

“[On] day one I was so nervous thinking that I’m not going to win a medal,” she said. “I got a PB in 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and javelin. “I felt so proud of myself, I couldn’t stop smiling.”

Australia make waves at outdoor rowing

By Aleasha Bliss

The moody skies did not dampen the spirits of the athletes competing in today’s Regatta at the Coomera Watersports Club.

Men’s and women’s teams from Australia, Italy, USA, and Portugal donned their slides and zooties, stretched and cleaned their rigs in preparation for the heats and two medal events.

Medals were up for grabs in the mixed double scull.

Headlining the winners were the Australian team of Mac Russell and Julia Story for their amazing effort in the 1,000m race. Silver also went to an Australian team consisting of Stephanie Walker and Aaron Skinner.

Story has had a long rowing career and came out of retirement to represent Australia at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games. She has previously won world titles and was thrilled to compete again this year. She also placed first in her single women’s scull 500m heat.

Australia’s Ruby Sutherland and William Clifton won the 500m mixed double scull. It was another home team top two as silver went to Eleanor Taylor and Nikolai Olding.

Italy’s Serena Giogetti and Hamed Hmoudi claimed bronze.

Australia’s Mac Russell is the one to watch tomorrow (16 October) as the winner of the men’s 1,000m and 500m single scull heats.

While Australia dominated the Regatta today, Italy also had victories in the heats. Elisabetta Tieghi crossed the line first in the women’s 1,000m single scull as did Hmoudi in the men’s 1,000m single scull.

Outdoor rowing continues on Thursday (16 October).

Terrific taekwondo

By Makayla Bishop

Athletes showcased their training and discipline in taekwondo at the Chandler Theatre on the sport’s official Global Games debut.

The women’s Poomsae P20 over 30 featured a win for Colombian athlete Jhormary Rojas.

Rojas said she trains three times every day and enjoys it but sometimes it gets very tough to keep up with the sport:

“There have been really hard times where we have actually thought about giving up.”

“But even though we have rough times we get through them as a family and now we are here just achieving goals.”

The USA’s Ji Soo Kim took gold in the men’s equivalent.

The women’s Poomsae P20 under 30 age group showcased a variety of different techniques and styles of taekwondo.

The Chilean contestant, Martinez Paloma, stood out the most taking home gold with a score of 7.266.

Silver went to Morgan Delaney representing the USA with a score of 6.866. Australia’s Chae yon Seo and Delaney’s teammate Shania Lynn Hershey took home the bronze.

In the men’s under 30 category the Ecuadorian gold medallist, Edison Joel Chiguano Aguilar, showed his sharp and disciplined movements which gave him a winning score of 7.482.

Italy’s Michele Cianciotto secured silver with a score of 7.383. Bronze was taken by Alejandro Gutierrez Rudino representing Mexico and the USA’s Eric Wright.

Ecuador’s golden ride

By Mitchell Kidd

Mount Cotton Driving Centre was once again the scene for the men’s and women’s cycling as road races got underway.

The course was challenging, featuring short and steep hills with not many opportunities for breaks.

The men were first to start in their 60km race and the difficulty of the circuit showed early with some of the riders struggling to keep the pace a few laps in.

At the halfway mark a group of four began to pull away from the rest of the field.

Ecuador’s world champion Eric Javier Surango Tufino, Australia’s Nathan Broeren, France’s Jeremy Teixera Pereria, and Portugal’s Carlos Henrique Viera De Carvalho took their chances.

The riders stayed together for two laps before Surango Tufino decided to make his move and break away on his own.

With five laps to go it was beginning to look like the Ecuadorian’s day as he continued to put space between him and the rest of field.

It then became a battle for the other medals between Broeren and Teixera Pereria with Viera De Carvalho dropping off. The Portuguese cyclist charged hard late closing the gap to less than 20 seconds but fell short of the podium.

Tufino crossed the line first with a time of 1:43:57 followed by Jeremy Teixera Pereria (+4:23) and Nathan Broeren (+4:26) with a tight finish for silver and bronze.

Shortly after the women’s 30km road race commenced.

Two laps in British race favourites Lauren Jayne Booth and world title holder Kiera Byland went for their opportunity to take the lead and put as much distance between them and the rest of the field as they could.

They were followed by Russia’s Irina Nikitina and Poland’s Malgorzata Pernal but the pair could not keep pace with the British.

At the halfway mark a Great Britain one-two finish seemed imminent but a tight battle for third was playing out between Nikitina and Pernal. Neither were giving the other any distance between them.

On the last lap Booth (50:51) managed to put enough distance between her and her world champion teammate Byland (+10 seconds) in second. Nikitina (+4:05) closed out the rest of the podium.

Rocksteady Portugal

Basketball World Championships silver medallists Portugal hold the lead at the top of the men’s standings with an unbeaten record of four wins.

They beat Poland 34-60 on Tuesday for their latest victory.

World champions France were overcome by Australia, 59-46. The hosts sit second in the table with just one loss, whereas the world title holders have only reached one win so far.

In the women’s Australia Gold won both their matches to maintain their own perfect record.

They took on both Japan and Australia Green on Tuesday, reaching scores of 20-17 and 21-4 respectively.

Australia Green played France, clearing their opponents by seven points. France did however take victory in their match against Israel.

Japan currently sit second in the standings ahead of France.

First podiums claimed at tennis

The first medals were contested in tennis on Tuesday as the combined singles II2 finals took place.

Australia’s Timothy Gould beat teammate Timothy Walsh in straight sets, 6-0, to claim the historic first Global Games title.

Egypt’s Ibrahim Ashraf Mohamed Elkholy claimed bronze by overcoming Australia’s Olivia Sayers.

The men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles II1 will conclude on Wednesday (16 October).

Futsal competition is also still ongoing at Brisbane 2019, with the semi-finals due to take place on Thursday (17 October).

The 2019 Global Games runs until 19 October at venues across Brisbane. Full results can be found here.

#Brisbane2019: Athletics, table tennis gets underway amid growing excitement

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Day two of the 2019 Global Games saw athletics and table tennis get underway as people tuned in from all over the world to follow the competition in Brisbane, Australia, on Monday (14 October).

All three Paralympic sports are being shown live via a comprehensive broadcast for the first time.

Athletes did not disappoint amongst growing awareness of the world’s biggest high performance sports event for people with intellectual impairments.

First athletics medals awarded

By Maddie Manwaring

The atmosphere at Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre was electric, with spectators filling the stands to witness the opening day of competition.

Australia, Russia, and France dominated in several events, and there were notable performances from Portugal, Japan and Thailand.

The day kicked off with the women’s hammer II1. Gold went to France’s Beatrice Aoustin with an impressive 44.06m throw, followed by Portugal’s Ines Fernandes in second with 36.83m.

Australia’s Lillee Wakefield came third in the event, beating her personal best with a throw of 30.99m. She said she was “very excited” to have placed as the Global Games are the highest level she can compete in for her sport.

The men’s hammer II1 was won by Thailand’s Boonkong Sanepoot with an impressive 47.05m, only 0.39m off the World Intellectual Impairment Sport world record of 47.44m. France’s Damien Rumeau came second with 42.54m, followed by Russia’s Alexandre Alexandrov in third with 40.03m.

Over at the women’s triple jump II1, Russia’s Aleksandra Ruchkina took out the gold with an impressive distance of 11.95m. Silver went to Portugal’s Ana Filipe with 10.62m. Aoustin won her second medal of the day, coming in third with 9.84m.

Australians Hugo Taheny and Andre Rivett took home gold and silver respectively in the men’s discus II1, followed by France’s Michael Paiman in third.

In the women’s 5,000m II1 final Japanese athletes put on an impressive performance to block out the podium. Sayaka Makita took home gold, Makiko Toyoshima silver and Misaki Ari won bronze.

In the new II2 category, Nicolas Virapin made history once again by winning the first men’s 100m World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games title in 14.18 seconds. The Frenchmen exploded out of the blocks to lead Australia’s Ethan Parry (15.06) and Sri Lanka’s Pasindu Amarasekara (15.86) onto the podium.

Two world records in the pool

By Katie Hopkins

The Brisbane Aquatic Centre was fired up heading into day 2 of the 2019 Global Games. Records were broken and champions were made.

The most notable performance of the day went to Australia, who were crowned champions in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay (3:39:88) with a new world record.

The efforts of team members Jack Ireland, Joshua Alford, Mitchell Kilduff and Liam Schluter saw the awesome foursome delight the home crowds.

“It was awesome. The boys did awesome to start me off and we bought it home in the end,” Schluter said.

On taking the gold on home soil Ireland continued: “It’s a pretty good feeling to win this medal on this stage.”

Brazil took home the gold medal in the women’s equivalent, clocking both World Intellectual Impairment Sport and Global Games records with a 4:16:80 finish.

Another world record fell in the men’s 400m individual medley II1.

Hong Kong’s Long Tin Chan (4:43:52) swam to victory for his second gold of the competition at the age of 18 – smashing the world record of Japan’s Keichi Nakajima by nearly 10 seconds.

Valeriia Shabalina (4:30:41) set the tone early on for the Russians, claiming gold in the women’s 400 metre freestyle II1 and setting a new Games record.

In the men’s 100 metre breaststroke it was her teammate Artem Pavlenko who was crowned champion in the II1 category, clocking a games record of 1:08:68.

A World record was also broken by fellow Russian, Viacheslav Emeliantsev (28.54), who placed first in the men’s 50m backstroke II1.

It was a big night for Australian Phoebe Mitchell who shone in the women’s 100 metre breaststroke II2 (1:49:54). Mitchell then went on to claim gold in the 50 metre backstroke II2.

*II1 records are subject to ratification by World Para Swimming.

First golds taken in road cycling

By Makayla Bishop

The women’s team time-trial featured a gruelling four laps around the 11km circuit at the Mount Cotton Driving Centre.

Great Britain’s individual time trial world champion, Kiera Byland, took home another gold medal to add to her collection with new teammate Lauren Booth.

“It was just different and it was nice getting to work together for a change,” Byland said.

Global Games debutant Booth said she was nervous but kept her eye on the prize to win the race.

“Half way through the team time trial I was getting tired and then I was just thinking about the finish line,” Booth said.

Russia took silver as they had done at the 2018 Cycling World Championships. Irina Nikitina and Liubov Tarasova stepped onto the podium in second.

Australia’s Annaliese Hodge and Chloe Turner claimed an impressive home bronze.

In the men’s Leo Collet and Jeremy Teixeira Pereira paired up for gold. Australia took another podium courtesy of Nathan Glarvey and Nathan Broeren with silver whilst India’s Chitharthan Thirumaran and Neel Yadav got India’s first Global Games cycling medal with bronze.

The Czech Republic suffered a puncture, gifting India the final podium spot.

Table tennis singles competition heats-up

By Mitchell Kidd

The knock-out stages of the women’s singles II1 saw Russia’s Elena Prokofeva along with Japan’s Kanami Furukawa, Poland’s Dorota Nowacka and Hong Kong’s Ting Ting Wong all progressing to the quarter-finals unbeaten with three wins each.

Meanwhile Hong Kong’s Paralympic bronze medallist Mui Mui Ng and Lola Amalia from Indonesia lost just one game on their way to the next round.

However, it was a much more difficult effort for Ito Maki from Japan who had to come from behind to progress to the quarter finals. It was also tough for Russia’s Anzhelika Kosacheva who played for over half an hour to secure a place.

In the men’s singles II1 the round of 32 saw Russia’s Alexandr Efremov beat Australia’s Rory Carrol 3-0.

Hong Kong’s Ka Ho Fan had a 3-1 win over his fellow countryman Wai Lok Wan.

Russia’s Alexy Kydryavtsev had a tough 3-2 win over Hong Kong’s Chung Yan Leung. France’s Richard Vallee came from behind to beat King Shing Yuen to win 3 to 2.

The men’s round of 16 then saw those who had earned byes in their group games taking to the tables.

Australia’s world No.4 Samuel Von Einem survived an early scare to win his match over Alexy Kydryavtsev 3-1.

Tournament favourite Hungary’s Peter Palos, the European and worlds silver medallist, knocked out Vallee with a 3-0 win.

3-0 wins also took place for Japanese teammates Takeshi Takemori and Toshiya Takahashi who join South Korea’s Chang Gi Kim in Tuesday’s quarter-finals.

France’s Lucas Creange and Antoine Zhao along with Japan’s Koya Kato also reached the next stage.

Tuesday (14 October) will see the overall winners crowned after the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals of the men’s and women’s singles take place at the Chandler Arena.

Tennis continues

An incredibly close group game in the men’s doubles saw a clash between world champions Fabrice Higgins and Dominic Iannotti and Australia’s Archie Graham and Mitchell James.

The match ended 7-6(2) to Graham and James, clearly determined to impress on home soil.

Graham continued his winning ways in the round robin stage of the men’s singles II1, beating Great Britain’s Thomas Mellor 6-0.

His fellow top ranked players, Higgins, the No.2 and Czech Republic’s Ondrej Sedlisky, the No.3, also claimed wins.

Belgium’s top seed Hanne Lavreyson received a walkover for her women’s singles match. British world champion Anne McBride beat France’s Elise Delvas 6-0.

McBride and Iannotti, the mixed doubles world title-holders, were the victors in their group stage win over France’s Sebastien Faure and Delvas.

In the women’s doubles, Worlds gold medallists Carla Lenarduzzi and Kelly Wren won their game on Monday.

Australia shine once again in basketball

By Aleasha Bliss

Australia had an amazing day showcasing the dedication and passion both men’s and women’s teams have for the sport with spectacular wins from both.

In the women’s 3×3 Australia Green led the hosts’ wins for the day by thrashing Israel 21-0.

They were followed by the unbeaten Australia Gold side taking the winning score of 21-5 against France.

Japan overcame France in a fast-paced game with a score of 20-12.

The men’s double round-robin matches certainly were the highlights of the day with tensions rising between teams as they battled it out to qualify for the finals.

Australia continued their winning streak with an impressive win of 107-59 against Poland in a game that Australian no.4 Jake De la Motte shone, scoring 30 of the winning points and ultimately taking the victory.

Australia and Portugal played a fierce match in their highly anticipated clash as they both fought to remain undefeated. This resulted in Portugal keeping their record with a final score of 81-60.

Stand-out players were Portugal’s No.6 Fabio Soares and No.15 Lukasz Ochmanski.

Australia Captain Joshua Cleary said that the highlight of his Global Games experience was finally getting on the court after 18 months of hard work in preparation for the event.

“It would be a dream come true [to win a gold medal] … to make that happen and win one finally would be awesome,” he said.

Portugal also had a victory against France with a top score of 55-42 with Soares scoring the highest amount of baskets for the match with 31 points.

France took the win from Poland with a score of 68-50

Archie Graham looks to the sky as he celebrates winning the Australian title in 2015

Hosts have a strong showing on opening day of Global Games

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The opening day of competition at the 2019 Global Games delivered medals and outstanding performances for hosts Australia in Brisbane on Sunday (13 October).

Records tumble to Russia, Australia in the pool

By Katie Hopkins

A flying start to swimming at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre kicked-off with record breaking heats and finals.

Russia’s Viacheslav Emeliantsev (24.31) won gold in the men’s 50m freestyle II1, setting a new World record.

Russia’s Valeriia Shabalina started her competition strong, breaking three Global Games records in the woman’s 200m individual medley II1 (2:28:15), women’s 100 backstroke II1 (1:09:15) and women’s 800m freestyle (9:23:32).

World records were also broken in the men’s 4x50m freestyle relay with efforts from Australia’s Jack Ireland, Josh Alford, Mitchell Kilduff and Liam Schluter (1:40.64).

Australia also shone in the women’s equivalent as Madeleine McTernan, Paige Leonhardt, Nicole Fielden and Amy Cook stormed to gold in 1:57.11.

Paralympian Michelle Alonso Morales (28.76) took home gold for Spain in the women’s 50m freestyle II1, beating out returning Global Games champion Cook (28.90).

Spain also claimed gold in the 50m freestyle II2 with Camino Martinez De La Riva finishing in 37.55 seconds. First place in the women’s 50m freestyle II3 went to Australia’s Gabriella Howells (32.06), who also claimed victory in the women’s 200m II3 individual medley.

“I’m feeling so excited and I tried my hardest. Go Australia,” Howells said after her individual medley win.

The men’s 200m individual medley II1 saw a close finish between first, second and third place. But it was Long Tin Chan from Hong Kong (2:13:57) who took home the glory.

Australia’s Liam-Bailey Rose, who at age 14, is one of the youngest swimmers competing this year – saw an amazing start to the Games, claiming three medals.

Shock victory for Australia in basketball

By Aleasha Bliss

Emotions ran high at the Hibiscus Sports Complex as the basketball competition delivered some surprising results.

In the men’s Australia faced France in a nail-biting game that saw the hosts take out the reigning world champions with a score of 82-74.

It was neck and neck as they went into overtime before battling it out for the impressive win.

Notable mentions to Australian No.7 Zachary Georg-Dent with his triple-double of 11 assists, 11 steals and 15 points.

French no.5 Junior Ndelo Maduka also had a good double-double comprising of 18 rebounds and 18 points.

The women’s teams had a faster pace in the 3×3 format and kept the energy levels up, thrilling their supporters to the very end.

Australia Gold took out the top spot after beating Israel 21-2. The hosts have entered two teams and Gold also overcame Australia Green 17-3.

Australia Gold co-captain Katie Papworth said she was really excited about today’s win and is hopeful they will take the gold at the finals:

“The girls did really well in my team, I’m looking forward to the rest of the games ahead and hopefully bring home a gold medal at the end of the week,” she said.

The other two women’s matches had Japan defeating Australia Green 21-8 and France had the upper hand with a final score of 12-1 against Israel.

Graham opens tennis with wins for hosts

By Maddy Manwaring

It was an exciting start to the competition as tennis kicked off at the Queensland Tennis Centre with round robin matches in men’s singles II1, women’s singles II1, mixed doubles II1 and combined singles II2.

Spectators were supporting their teams from the get go. Athletes took to the courts determined to make their mark, making for a day of fast-paced, exciting matches.

Notable performances came from Australia’s Archie Graham and Carla Lenarduzzi as well as Great Britain’s Fabrice Higgins in singles II1 matches.

Australia, Great Britain and France dominated in mixed doubles II1.

World number one and the Australian team’s co-captain Archie Graham defeated France’s Sebastien Faure 6-2 in his first match of the day. He followed it up with a 6-0 win against Czech Republic’s Jakub Jerhot.

Graham ended the day with a mixed doubles II1 match with Lenarduzzi. They were awarded a walkover against Poland’s Mateusz Stusinski and Natalia Babinska.

Graham, a four-time world champion and two-time winner of Tennis Australia’s Most Outstanding Athlete with a disability, is definitely one player to watch going into medal rounds later in the week.

Great Britain’s Fabrice Higgins, seeded number 2, beat France’s Benjamin Coulier 6-2, and Czech Republic’s Josef Hus 6-0.

Lenarduzzi beat France’s Elise Delvas 6-0 and teammate Yasmin Sanders 7-6 (4) in her women’s singles II1 matches.

As for the combined singles II2 matches, Australia’s Timothy Walsh won 6-3 against Egypt’s Ibrahim Ashraf Mohamed Elkholy.

Another Australian, Timothy Gould, beat compatriot Olivia Sayers 6-1.

England Cricket win series opener

By Mitchell Kidd

Today was England’s day in the first T20 played against Australia at South Brisbane District Cricket Club in Fairfield.

England won the toss, chose to bat and made the most of the opportunity presented to them. The visitors finished their 20 overs with a score of 3/178 with Dan Bowser top scoring with 90 runs off 47 balls and was well supported by Jonathan Gale who scored 41. The pick of the Australian bowlers was Hayden Brumm with figures of 1/19 off his 4 overs.

In reply Australia struggled early and were kept to 1/7 in their first five overs with Tayler Young getting the early wicket of Gavin Hicks.

Australia fought hard their whole innings but the win was starting to look improbable when they required 152 still to win with only nine overs left.

Australia ended up finishing their allotted 20 overs with a total of 5/83 with Boyd Duffield top scoring for Australia with 36 off 59 balls. England’s Thomas Wilson took two wickets for 13 runs off two overs.

Futsal gets underway

By Makayla Bishop

Playing in the interesting setting of the centre of the Anna Meares Velodrome, teams began their Global Games campaign on Sunday.

The closest match of the day came between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia started off strong, managing a two goal lead at 4-2.

However, the Russian team fought back taking a one goal advantage with six minutes on the clock.

But it was not enough against Saudi Arabia who came back harder, striking their winning goal in the last seconds of the second half 6-5.

France kicked-off their campaign against Australia, 19-1, setting the bar high for the rest of the day at the Anna Meares Velodrome centre.

France dominated in the first half, scoring nine goals with only one reply.

France’s Jean-Francois Winsley said his team’s training had been extensive and tiresome, but it was worth it for the way they performed today.

World champions Portugal took the lead against Japan in the second match, going into half-time with a 7-0 lead.

The Japanese did manage to get one back but it was not enough to fend off the Portuguese and the game ended 10-1.

The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Sports and Regions Councils will gather delegates from around the world

Global Games get underway in Brisbane

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The 2019 edition of the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments – the Global Games – officially opened with a glittering ceremony in Brisbane, Australia, on Saturday (12 October).

The Voice Australia finalist, Ellen Reed, headlined the performances at the Brisbane City Town Hall and more than 800 athletes from nearly 50 countries wound their way through the city centre.

The national anthem was then performed by ‘Choir of Hard Knocks’ Founder Jonathon Welsh ahead of fireworks in the city square. The opening was rounded off by a stirring performance by the Brisbane City Gospel Choir.

In attendance were Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk; Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner; Federal Minister for Sport, Senator Richard Colbeck; and Para sport luminaries including International Paralympic Committee President, Andrew Parsons, and World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, Marc Truffaut.

From Sunday (13 October) athletes will compete on their road to the Paralympic Games in athletics, swimming and table tennis whilst others will go for gold in seven other sports at the most important event of their careers.

Competition in athletics, swimming and table tennis will be shown live at https://gg2019.org/ alongside live results.

Broadcast footage and photographs will be available on request from lucy.dominy@inas.org

Swimming

A high quality field of athletes have made the journey to Brisbane.

This includes swimming Paralympic champions Michelle Alonso and Wai Lok Tang.

Spain’s Alonso is a double gold medallist in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB14 from London 2012 and Rio 2016. Tang, one of Hong Kong’s leading swimmers, is the title-holder in the men’s 200m freestyle S14.

Swimming schedule: https://gg2019.org/sports/swimming

Athletics

Cape Verde’s Gracelino Barbosa is the bronze medallist from the men’s 400m T20 from Rio 2016.

France’s Gloria Agblemagnon is the world No.2 in shotput F20 and the 2015 Global Games champion in the hammer throw. Agblemagnon is likely to be challenged in the shot-put by Ecuador’s Poleth Mendes, the silver medallist from the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships.

Portugal’s Lenine Cunha has won over 200 international medals, including gold from 2015 and bronze from London 2012 in the long jump.

Tokyo 2020 hosts Japan have sent a large team as part of their preparation for their home Paralympics. Their frontrunners include Aimi Toyama as world ranked no.3 in the women’s 400m T20.

Athletics schedule: https://gg2019.org/sports/athletics

Table tennis

In table tennis Hungary’s world No. 2 Peter Palos collected silver as the 2018 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Para Table Tennis World Championships. Palos followed that up with the same colour at the Euros earlier this year.

France’s Lucas Creange is the world No.3 and European champion. He is also the defending Global Games gold medallist.

Australia’s Sam Von Einem, the world No.4, is also expected to be firmly in the mix as he looks to impress on his home soil.

In the women’s Hong Kong’s Ka Man Wong and Mui Wui Ng are both Paralympic medallists.

Japan’s Kanami Furukawa joins the field as the world No.5 and ITTF Worlds bronze medallist.

Table tennis schedule: https://gg2019.org/sports/table-tennis#schedule

New for 2019

Athletics, swimming and table tennis will both include medal events for two new categories at Brisbane 2019.

The II2 category is for athletes with a more several intellectual impairment whilst the II3 caters for athletes with high-functioning autism. The II3 competition is a trial for this edition as research into the category continues.

In the men’s athletics II2, France’s Nicolas Virapin will continue to make history. In 2018 Virapin became the first man to win medals in the category at the World Athletics Indoor Championships. He will go for the first Global Games titles in Brisbane.

France also reached success on the table tennis table in 2017 when Cedric Courrillaud claimed a historic first world title in the category. Teammate Alexandre Sol joined him on the podium.

In swimming the USA’s Libby Beem will also be a history maker. Beem will follow on from her debut at the 2017 World  Championships where she competed in the inaugural women’s II3 races.

As well as the Paralympic sports on the schedule, seven others will feature in Brisbane.

Cycling

Road cycling sees the return of Great Britain’s time trial and road race world champion Kiera Byland. Ecuador’s Eric Javier Surango Tufino highlights the men’s events as the road race world title holder.

France’s Jeremy Teixera Pereira will provide a challenge for Tufino as a former world champion in the time trial.

Track cycling will crown the competition on 19th October as it makes its Global Games debut.

Cycling schedule: https://gg2019.org/sports/cycling#schedule

Tennis

British teenager Anna McBride upset the established order at the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Tennis World Championships in Paris, France, when she stormed to gold in the women’s singles.

McBride, then aged just 14, beat Belgium’s double world champion Hanna Lavreyson in straight sets to take the gold.

Australia’s Kelly Wren, a multiple world title-holder and the Global Games champion, will line-up hoping to improve on her bronze from last year.

In the men’s singles, Australia have a bright hope in national legend Archie Graham.

Graham is the reigning world and Global Games champion and will surely be planning to make the most of the opportunity to win gold at home.

Great Britain’s Fabrice Higgins made it into both finals but struggled to overcome Graham in 2018 and at the last Global Games in 2015.

The tennis competition will also feature the Global Games debut of players competing in the II2 category.

Tennis schedule: https://gg2019.org/sports/tennis#schedule

Basketball

Hopes for the Australia Pearls are high in the women’s as the reigning world champions and defending Global Games title-holders.

The team are fielding two sides – Australia Gold and Australia Green – to play in the 3v3 format.

At the previous World Championships in 2017, Australia Gold left with the trophy following an all-national final against their teammates.

Eliza Mills headlined her team’s efforts with 27 goals. Kaitlyn Papworth was third on 21. Both players return to the court and will co-captain the Australia Gold team.

On the men’s side France, Portugal and Australia are likely to be the main protagonists as the medallists from 2017.

France overcame Portugal in the 2017 final to grab the world title.  Australia left with bronze.

Basketball schedule: https://gg2019.org/sports/basketball

Futsal

Portugal return to the field as the defending champions and world title holders and will once again rely on players such as Guilherme Silva and Joao Campelo.

Campelo was Portugal’s most valuable player during their Futsal Worlds win in 2017, scoring seven goals. Silva was just behind him on six.

The Portuguese just edged France to gold by one goal and will try again for the title in Brisbane.

Futsal schedule: https://gg2019.org/sports/futsal

Rowing and taekwondo round-off the 10 sports being contested at Brisbane 2019. Taekwondo makes its official Global Games debut after being a demonstration sport in 2015.