Nikesha Harding leans o the side of the pool and smiles at the camera

Australia’s Harding hopes for home success at Global Games

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By Alison Thompson | For Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport

Swimmer Nikesha Harding has spoken of her determination to help Australia maintain their place at the top of the medals table when the 2019 Global Games come to Brisbane from 12-19 October.

In five short months the city will welcome over 1,000 athletes competing in 10 sports. With Australia being top of the medals table at the 2015 edition in Ecuador, and top of the all-time table, all eyes will be on the home nation.

For Harding, the Global Games are extra special this time around: “It’s fantastic to be part of any Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport national team no matter what sport. It’s the team that makes the event so special, and I’m confident Australia will win this Global Games at home.

“It’s so very special to have the Games in Brisbane and to be able to represent my country at home. To have fellow Australians, and especially my proud family see me swim, will be amazing.”

Harding’s goal is crystal clear. “My personal ambition is to help Australia become the champions and to become a champion in front of my home crowd”.

The New South Wales swimmer comes to the games with formidable experience and success in the pool, including being a medal winner at the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

“Winning at the Championships felt awesome,” Harding said. “It was the best feeling imaginable, like all the hard training had paid off. I felt so very proud.”

At just 20 years old, Harding is one of Australia’s brightest stars. She is currently the world No.1 in the Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport rankings for the 200m butterfly II1 and 5th in the 100m in the same stroke.

“Having these rankings makes me feel proud and special and I like that my achievements are recognised,” Harding said.

But now, like the rest of her teammates, the young Australian is focused on October’s Global Games with regular training and continuing to improve her results:

“I swam great personal bests at the recent national championships. I love my new club and my new coach and together we are making further improvements.”

Harding is set to compete in her usual mix of strokes at Brisbane 2019, but despite her strength and success, she is fully aware of what she, and the team, has to do to achieve the success they want.

“Brazil and China are both very strong teams but for me personally, my biggest opponent in butterfly will be Leslie Cichocki from the USA.”

Cichocki currently sits just one place behind Harding in the 100m butterfly rankings and two places behind in the 200m. Both athletes will compete at the Global Games with one eye on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

But with all the hard work comes the importance of relaxation and downtime to recharge and refocus. “I love to see my friends every day and we see each other outside the pool and do fun things.

“Swimming helps clear my mind and improves my self-confidence and yes, sometimes it’s hard when I don’t achieve the times I would like to. But when I do swim well, it is all worth it.”

The Global Games are world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

The 2019 edition runs from 12-19 October and is expected to attract more than 1,000 athletes competing in 10 sports.

 

Daniel Martins points to the crowd as he celebrates winning

Martins named Americas Athlete of the Month

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Daniel Martins has been chosen as Americas ‘Athlete of the Month’ for April by the International Paralympic Committee after receiving 49 per cent of a public vote.

The Brazilian runner rounded off action at the Sao Paulo World Para Athletics Grand Prix smashing his own men’s 400m T20 world record, showing great form ahead of this year’s Parapan American Games and World Championships.

Since making his international debut at the 2015 International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games in Ecuador, Martins has gone on to conquer the world. In 2016 he won gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and in 2017 he claimed his first world title.

Despite receiving massive support from Argentina, swimmer Daniela Gimenez had to settle for the second place this time with 39 per cent of the votes.

Colombian shooting Para sport athlete Maria Teresa Restrepo, Chilean powerlifter Marion Serrano and US wheelchair racer Daniel Romanchuk were also nominated.

The nominations were compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from across the continent and covered all impairments.

The 2019 Americas Athlete of the Month winners are:

  • January – Johanna Sossa and Johana Martinez, Colombia, wheelchair tennis
  • February – Rebeca Valenzuela Alvarez, Mexico, athletics
  • March – Matias Pino, Chile, table tennis
  • April – Daniel Martins, Brazil, athletics

 

World Sailing to grow the sport with in partnership with World Intellectual Impairment Sport

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World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport, has partnered with the International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) to jointly promote and grow sailing for people with intellectual impairments globally.

World Sailing and World Intellectual Impairment Sport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see both organisations work together towards the development and implementation of strategies and sailing programmes for people with intellectual impairments. Furthermore, World Sailing and World Intellectual Impairment Sport will work to promote awareness and integration within their member organisations.

World Sailing President, Kim Andersen, said, “Sailing is an inclusive sport that is available for all to compete on a level playing field. It is a sport for all and World Sailing is fully committed to growing the sport across multiple disciplines.

“We are delighted to establish a long-term partnership with World Intellectual Impairment Sport and we will work closely with them to ensure a sustainable future for sailors with intellectual impairments.”

World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, Marc Truffaut, said: “We are excited to welcome World Sailing into the World Intellectual Impairment Sport family, adding another International Federation to our growing list of partners.

“We are committed to growing sailing for athletes with intellectual impairments and know that together, we can offer more high level competition opportunities and make a huge impact around the world.”

World Sailing will implement a new intellectual impairment discipline into its future Championships at a World, Regional and National level and as a result, World Intellectual Impairment Sport agrees to automatically sanction World Sailing-approved events.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport and World Sailing will also work together to deliver clinics and seminars for both coaches and officials each year.

As part of the agreement, World Sailing becomes a member of World Intellectual Impairment Sport and will hold a seat on the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Sport Council.

 

World Intellectual Impairment Sport opens nominations for Governing Board elections

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has opened the nomination process for its Governing Board elections set to take place in Brisbane, Australia, in October.

According to the World Intellectual Impairment Sport constitution, one member from Asia, the Americas, Oceania and Europe are up for election this year. The four positions will make up a total of 10 Governing Board members, with one of the candidates also elected as Vice President.

Nominations must be made by national members through the relevant World Intellectual Impairment Sport regional organisation by 12 August 2019.

Elections will then be held at the General Assembly being held at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games taking place in Brisbane from 12-19 October.

Marc Truffaut, World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, said: “I would like to thank my current Governing Board colleagues for their work and support over the last two years. Together we have achieved a great deal.

“I encourage all World Intellectual Impairment Sport members to get involved in the election process and nominate people who they think have something to offer World Intellectual Impairment Sport. It is absolutely crucial that we continue to have top quality people in these positions, for the benefit of the athletes and our membership as whole.”

A letter has been sent to all World Intellectual Impairment Sport members detailing the election process.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport regions should invite nominations from their members using their own agreed procedures.

All nominees must then complete the relevant paperwork (communicated to members) and gain the endorsement of their World Intellectual Impairment Sport member before formally sending their nomination to the region. Members in the region must then be given an opportunity to determine their final nominee.

At the same time, the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Election Committee is currently being established and will be operational shortly.

The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Around 1,000 athletes are expected to compete in nine sports in Brisbane.

Daniel Fox, Jeff Horn and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner stand in front of microphones

Australian boxing legend Jeff Horn becomes Global Games Ambassador

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Australian boxing legend Jeff Horn has thrown his hat into the ring as the third official Ambassador for the 2019 International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games taking place in Brisbane in six months time.

The former World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion who calls the city his home was a natural choice to spread the word about the event.

“I’m honoured to join the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games and very excited to play a role in this inspirational celebration of athletic ability,” Horn said.

The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games, held every four years, is the world’s largest high performance sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment and will be held between 12-19 October.  Over 1,000 athletes will compete across nine sports in a celebration of sport, culture and ability.

“Being born and bred in Brisbane I am very proud to be an ambassador for this major sporting event and I am certainly encouraging everyone to come along and experience the unique greatness of these Games,” Horn continued.

“With athletes from up to 80 countries proudly contesting success throughout these Games, we will see not only exceptional athletic prowess, but witness the courage and determination as these international athletes strive to be the very best that they can be.”

The boxing great joins Australia’s tennis legend, Pat Rafter and Paralympic swimming sensation Daniel Fox as 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games Ambassadors.

“It’s great to have Jeff along on the Global Games 2019 journey with the compelling passion and sheer determination he shows in the ring.  I know his reputation and ability to connect with all of Australia and globally will be a real benefit in promoting the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games,” said Global Games Sports Company Chief Executive Officer, Robyn Smith.

“It is not only Jeff’s fighting spirit and his success in the ring that makes him the perfect Ambassador; it is his humble demeanor and personal commitment for inclusivity in schools and society, as he leads the way to reduce bullying and discrimination, that makes him stand out.”

In joining Rafter and Fox, Horn will be actively promoting the vision of the Global Games – that inclusive sport has the ability to change attitudes, challenge perceptions and strengthen communities both locally and globally.

An athletes holds a mascot in the air whilst wearing a gold medal

Nominations open for 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Awards and Hall of Fame

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has opened nominations for the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Awards and Hall of Fame, recognising some of the best talent and leading lights from its field.

The award ceremony will take place during October’s World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Australia – the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments.

As well as the Hall of Fame, nominations are being accepted for the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Awards in four categories:

  • Best Male
  • Best Female
  • Best Team
  • Unsung Hero

The Best Team has been added for 2019 to reflect the fact that World Intellectual Impairment Sport has five team sports under its banner. It will also be the first awards where athletes competing in II2 (for athletes with a more significant impairment) and II3 (for athletes with high functioning autism) can be nominated since their addition to the programme in some sports in 2017.

For athlete and team awards, performances must have been achieved between 1 January 2017 – 31 March 2019 and athletes must appear on the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Masterlist.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, Marc Truffaut, said: “These awards are a great way for our members to celebrate their best athletes and reward their outstanding commitment and achievements in their sports.

“Whilst only in its third edition the winners so far are widely recognised as people who have not only reached the top of many podiums, but have helped change the world by changing perceptions.

“The Unsung Hero award is also an opportunity for the membership and committees to put forward volunteers and coaches who have truly revolutionised the way they work and made a big impact on their organisation.

“Finally the Hall of Fame is a chance for athletes, administrators and leaders who have had a long-lasting impact to be forever immortalised in the history of World Intellectual Impairment Sport, an organisation with a 30-year pedigree of contributing to Paralympic and non-Paralympic sports.”

At the last edition in 2017, Poland’s 1,500m T20 world and Paralympic champion Barbara Niewiedzial won Best Female in recognition of her outstanding performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. Portugal’s Lenine Cunha, also a track and field athlete who has since brought his international medal total to more than 200, was named Best Male.

The Unsung Hero award, which recognises the crucial role of volunteers to deliver World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ work, went to Antonio Sampaio Maia for his work on behalf of the World Intellectual Impairment Sport member in Portugal – ANDDI (The National Sports Association for Intellectual Disability).

Two years ago Marie Little OAM was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining athletes and former Presidents. Little was a founding member of World Intellectual Impairment Sport in the 1980s and worked tirelessly for the organisation for more than 25 years.

The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Awards and Hall of Fame are entering their third edition and have been held every two years since 2015. Nominations can be made via an online form until 30 April.

The 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are expected to attract 1,000 athletes competing in nine sports from 12-19 October.

USA top the tables in first cyber rowing Championships

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Rowers from the USA have collected four wins across distances in the first International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Rowing Cyber Championships.

The competition, which was run virtually over 10 weeks, encouraged countries to submit entries on indoor rowing machines by video. Rankings were published weekly and rowers were allows to enter again to try and better their previous time and that of their opponents.

It was also the first time that athletes with a more significant impairment (II2) and those with high functioning autism (II3) could compete in an World Intellectual Impairment Sport Rowing competition.

The USA saw most success in the men’s II3 winning three distances.

In the 500m, Matthew Houser was the victor in 1:30.0. He led three of his teammates as Luke Arnold (1:47.4) and Cedric Montrose (2:08.5) finished second and third, respectively.

Arnold proved stronger over 1,000m (4:17.3) as a new US athlete entered the fray. Max Constandy (4:42.6) claimed second ahead of Montrose (4:56.2) for his second medal.

Calum Swinford (6:56.4) triumphed for his team in the 2,000m haul as Arnold (7:28.6) rounded off a 100 per cent podium record with second.

The USA also secured a win in the men’s 2,000m II1. Lea Syd (6:51.9) was the victor, leading Great Britain’s Rhys Davies (7:01.6) and another US rower – Bruce Worley (7:43.0).

Davies topped the tables in the 500m event, which proved to be one of the closest of the competition.

The British athlete finished in 1:36.6, just under three seconds in front of Australia’s Russell Macintyre (1:39.5). Worley was third again in 1:42.0.

Macintyre (3:19.8) claimed the 1,000m crown, beating Davies (3:28.7) into second. Portugal’s Nelson Garrote (3:36.8) was third.

In the women’s II1 Paula Santos (2:04.3) triumphed over 500m in front of compatriot Cristina Soares (2:12.8). Another Portuguese athlete, Carla Silva, won the 1,000m with a time of 4:21.8.

The winners in each distance and category will receive a free World Intellectual Impairment Sport competition license for 12 months.

The next major competition for rowers will be the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, from 12-19 October.

Dominic Iannotti and Anna McBride celebrate after a point

Tennis at 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games to be endorsed by International Tennis Federation

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has announced that tennis competitions at the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, from 12-19 October, will be endorsed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

It is the first time that the ITF have recognised an World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in this way and joins the support of four other International Federations – the International Table Tennis Federation, World Taekwondo, World Para Athletics and World Para Swimming.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport President Marc Truffaut said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive the backing of the International Tennis Federation for Brisbane 2019 in another historic first for a Global Games.

“It shows that a growing number of sports governing bodies are seeing the value in the supporting the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

“The calibre of the event this October – from both and competition and organisational perspective – is expected to be the best yet. This news adds to that feeling as the countdown continues.”

ITF President, David Haggerty, said: “The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are a fantastic event which the ITF is delighted to endorse. The ITF is committed to ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of tennis as a sport to be enjoyed by all ages and abilities.  Good luck to all of the athletes competing in the 2019 Games.”

Robyn Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Games Company, said: “The letter of endorsement from ITF for the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games Tennis event is not only historical for World Intellectual Impairment Sport and the Global Games, but excellent recognition for the outstanding players who will compete in Brisbane in October 2019.”

The 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are expected to attract 1,000 athletes from around the world.

Table tennis, overseen by the International Table Tennis Federation, will see athletes able to achieve ranking points for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics according to the ITTF’s factor 20 status for the first time.

The other Paralympic sports on the Global Games programme – swimming and athletics – will be recognised by World Para Swimming and World Para Athletics respectively.

Para taekwondo, governed by World Taekwondo, will also be sanctioned.

Basketball, cycling, futsal, rowing, cricket and hockey competitions will act as the World Championships for each sport, with World Intellectual Impairment Sport acting as the current International Federation.

More information about the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games can be found at the official website or at www.inas.org. Entries for 2019 are currently open.

A group photo of people holding certificates for passing an eligibility workshop

Successful eligibility workshop held in Puerto Rico

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Eighteen people from six countries across the Americas and International Federations attended an eligibility workshop in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from 2-3 April.

Delegates from the host country, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and the International Table Tennis Federation were given training and information.

‘Eligibility’ is the process which athletes have to go through in order to be compete at International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) competitions and, crucially, advance to classification for Paralympic sports.

The workshop, supported by the Agitos Foundation, aimed to help develop knowledge and expertise in the region.

Delegates were a mix of practitioners, psychologists and sport managers. They were given an introduction to the process and World Intellectual Impairment Sport, the differences between eligibility and classification, how World Intellectual Impairment Sport defines its criteria for athletes and the process for registering competitors. Professor Jan Burns MBE, World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Head of Eligibility, delivered the session alongside World Intellectual Impairment Sport Executive Director Nick Parr.

The workshop also provided an awareness of the competition pathways in Paralympic and non-Paralympic sports. Discussions were held with representatives of Costa Rica, paving the way to them becoming an World Intellectual Impairment Sport member.

Continuing the development of sports for athletes with intellectual impairments in the Americas, a follow-up session is currently being planned for later this year.

The Agitos Foundation is the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee. World Intellectual Impairment Sport received support for the workshops through its 2018 Grant Support Programme.

Third World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian video competition opens

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) have announced that the third Para equestrian video competition is open for entries until 29 September 2019.

The innovative competition format aims to encourage the growth of the sport in lieu of a standard competition format where athletes would also have to transport horses.

In past editions entries have been received from all over the world including Russia, Spain and Australia and have gradually increased. At the first event in 2017, four countries made submissions growing to five in 2018.

Spain’s Sonja Villalba is the current champion having ridden Donauzauber to success last year.

In order to enter, riders are required to follow set rules. These include a requirement for horses to wear bandages to indicate the test has not been performed and judged at another competition.

The test is an International Federation for Equestrian Sport (FEI) Grade IV Novice A. Videos are assessed and judged by a panel of FEI Para equestrian judges.

Entries are open to World Intellectual Impairment Sport members and non-members. Information about how to enter can be found on the World Intellectual Impairment Sport events page.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian

Equestrian was added to the World Intellectual Impairment Sport sport programme in 2016 in the form of dressage. The organisation wants to offer the best riders with intellectual impairments the chance to compete regularly.

More information about the sport, including the rules and history, can be found at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian page.