Special Olympics team claim four medals

THE Special Olympics Papua New Guinea team won four medals at the conclusion of the 2023 Special Olympics World Games on Sunday in Berlin, Germany.
SOPNG competed in athletics and badminton in the world’s largest inclusive sports event which was staged from June 17-25, where the PNG contingent led by Ben Theodore finished with two silver and two bronze medals.
Samantha Maiasa snatched silver after finishing second in the 200m race with a time of 33.7 seconds while Grace Dindillo scooped the bronze medal in the shot put with a throw of 3.93m, successfully rounding off the athletics events.
In badminton, Emmanuel Sevara and Martha Ahwong fell short of gold and settled for silver in the mixed doubles while an individual effort from Ahwong saw her finish third with a bronze medal in the singles.
“We are very proud of all our athletes’ achievements. Competing on a world stage against athletes from very powerful and advanced nations like China, USA, Germany and many others, it is a phenomenal feat,” SOPNG healthy communities assistant programme coordinator Antoinette Auharai told The National yesterday of the team’s achievement. “Our athletes’ achievements prove that Papua New Guinean sports men and women have the talent and potential to mix it with the very best the world of sports. All they need is more sponsorship and support.
Sevara and Ahwong have become the first athletes to bring home a medal in the sport of badminton. In the round robin games, the duo took on Bulgaria in their opening match, winning two sets, 21-13 and 21-18. They went on to beat Palestine 2-0 in sets in the second game, which advanced them to the medal playoffs. PNG contested a much experienced Chinese outfit in the finals going down 9-21 and 6-21, for a silver medal finish.
SOPNG said it was a courageous effort from Sevara and Ahwong, who debuted in international competition, and concluding with silver was a bonus.