I'm going to be afk for awhile. I'm in a physical therapy center wokring on dressing and transfering skills. I will post as I can but it wont be regularly
There's a lot going on in wheel chair sports for the rest of the suumer and i'll do my best to cover what I can but it wont be regularly.
500 hundred disabled American heroes will converge on Milwaukee June 19 – 23 to test their agility, athleticism and strength of spirit in the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. Veterans from the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq will again join veterans from the Gulf War, Vietnam and other conflicts in 17 competitive events.
At the Games, veterans will compete in track and field, swimming, basketball, weightlifting, softball, air guns, quad rugby, 9-ball, bowling, table tennis, archery, handcycling, a motorized rally, wheelchair slalom, a power wheelchair relay and power soccer. Trap shooting and wheelchair curling will be exhibition events this year. Sports are important in the therapy used to treat many disabilities. For many injured veterans, the Wheelchair Games provide their first exposure to wheelchair athletics.
For more info on the games go to their website here.
You can also look at a full photo gallery here.
U.S. PARALYMPICS: Galli Sets World Record at Swiss Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2007
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Two-time U.S. Paralympian Jessica Galli (Savoy, Ill./Hillsborough, N.J.) set a new world record in the women’s wheelchair (T53) 400m at the 2007 European Wheelchair Championships Swiss Selection Meet World Series, June 7 in Pratteln, Switzerland.
Galli finished the 400m race with a time of 55.82 defeating the previous world record set by Tanni Grey-Thompson of Great Britain with a time of 56.28 in 2003.
“I’m really excited and it’s a great honor,” said Galli. “I feel like it’s a confirmation of all the hard work I’ve been putting in over the last two years − I’ve been concentrating on the sprint and I guess it’s been paying off.”
On breaking Tanni-Grey-Thompson’s record, Galli said, “It’s a little bittersweet to break her record but I see it is a sign that we are moving on. She’s retired and the next generation is coming up."
"Jessica has established herself among top racers in the world," said National Team coach Kevin Orr. "Jessica's performance speaks well of her preparations towards Beijing and is a good step with the Paralympic Games fourteen months ago.
Up next: Galli will be competing at the 2007 U.S.\Paralympics Track and Field National Championships, June 30-July 2 in Marietta, Ga.
In my first post that is actually ahead of the ITF, Shingo Kunieda, the World's number 1 singles player defeated the Dutch Robin Aamerlaam 6-3,6-4. Shingo is so strong I anticipate him having a great year and if he stays at this pace maybe even surpass the legendary David Hall. In 2007 he is 16-1 in singles, and 13 and 0 in doubles
On the womens side Esther Vergeer uncharacteristically lost the second set in a tie break to Florence Gravellier. The other two sets were vintage domination, 6-3 in the first, and a triple break in the third 6-2 increasing her already tennis hall of fame career
I consider her right up there with Lance Armstrong as one of the best, most dominant athletes in the history of sport
Photo:ITF Tennis
The 1st annual French Open on the red clay of Roland Garros started yesterday. Lucy Shuker bageled Karin Suter-Erath 6-0 6-0 for her biggest win in Series one competition and as usual the juggernaut Esther Vergeer is rolling over her opponents. I don't dare say competition because frankly there just isn't any for her.
As far as the men's side is concerned there are some discrepancies on the ITF website. The ITF says
"The home French fans will have a local player to cheers in Thursday's Men's Singles semi-finals after Parisian Michael Jeremiasz (FRA) won the big points to see of Tadeusz Kruszelnicki (POL) 63 63. Jeremiasz will face Martin Legner (AUT) in the final after the evergreen Austrian outplayed Ben Weekes (AUS) in the other quarter-final to score a 61 61 victory.The home French fans will have a local player to cheers in Thursday's Men's Singles semi-finals after Parisian Michael Jeremiasz (FRA) won the big points to see of Tadeusz Kruszelnicki (POL) 63 63. Jeremiasz will face Martin Legner (AUT) in the final after the evergreen Austrian outplayed Ben Weekes (AUS) in the other quarter-final to score a 61 61 victory. "
To correct it Michael beat Tadeusz in the quarters played, and lost to Robin Ammerlam in the Semi's, and Martin Legner beat Ben Weekes in the quarters, and loast to world #1 Shingo Kunieda in the other semi-final. So with Martin Legner loosing in the quarters and Michael Jeremiasz in the Semi's how are they going to play in the final?
The final will be Robin Aamerlam and Shingo Kunieda
From US Paralympics
What: 8th annual UCO Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities
Description: The Endeavor Games will be held this weekend, with a record-breaking attendance of more than 350 sport participants. Twenty-seven states will be represented as well as the countries of Panama and Mexico. Competition will be held in ten different sports over a 3-day period beginning Friday, June 8 and ending Sunday, June 10, all at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) and Edmond Public Schools. In addition, sport clinics, presented by the U.S. Paralympics, will be held on Thursday, June 7.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday, June 7:
The 2007 Sport Clinics will be presented by U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee. National Team coaches and athletes will lead participants through instruction in the following Paralympic Sports: Archery, Boccia, Powerlifting, Shooting, Table Tennis and Track & Field. Over 60 aspiring athletes have signed up to participate in the sport clinics and receive instruction from the best of the best.
In addition, UCO Endeavor Games is pleased to partner once more with Disabled Sports USA and the Wounded Warriors Project to welcome our nation’s protectors as they realize their potential as athletes. These special guests are members of the U.S. Military Services who have received permanent physically disabling injuries while serving for the United States of America in the Global War on Terrorism. A record number 28 soldiers will be attending the event, to participate in the clinics and then to compete throughout the weekend.
Friday, June 8:
Outdoor archery (9am, Cheyenne Middle School) and powerlifting (10am, UCO Hamilton Field House) will begin the sport competition for the day. Powerlifting will serve as the National Powerlifting Championships and will feature numerous national team athletes, including Kortney Clemons, a solider injured in the war in Iraq. In addition, wheelchair basketball will be conducted throughout the day at UCO’s Wellness Center. The basketball competition is a 3-on-3 format, and will feature competition for juniors and adults. Table Tennis will round out the sport competition for the day and will also be held in the Wellness Center, beginning at 1pm.
To complete the evening, an Opening Ceremony will be staged at 7:30 p.m. at UCO’s Hamilton Field House. Two-time Paralympian Karin Korb, will serve as keynote speaker for the ceremonies. Korb is among the top four women wheelchair tennis players in the world and was the first wheelchair athlete to defeat an able-bodied opponent. Presented by Chickasaw Nation & a Centennial Event, opening ceremonies will also feature Indian dancers, a Parade of Athletes, and a tribute to the U.S. soldiers.
Saturday, June 9:
Saturday will begin with an amazing skydiving demonstration by double-amputee Dana Bowman at 8:00 a.m. at Edmond North High School. Track competition will then start at 8:30 a.m. and is once again the most populated sport with healthy competition in each of the four disabilities. Track will feature numerous Paralympic athletes who are preparing for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. Also in attendance will be five-year old amputee Payton Hofmeyer of Plano, TX in his first ever competition. Wheelchair tennis will be held at Edmond North’s tennis courts at 9:30 a.m. Shooting (9am, UCO Wellness Center) and outdoor archery (9am, Cheyenne Middle School) will also be held on Saturday. The archery competition will feature athletes on the National Archery Team, including Edmond’s own T.J. Pemberton who is aspiring to attend the 2008 Paralympic Games.
Sunday, June 10:
The conclusion of the track events will start the day with the 5000m scheduled for 8:00 a.m. at Edmond North High School. Boccia will then be held at the Wellness Center, UCO at 9:00 a.m. The second largest sport in the Endeavor Games, swimming, will be conducted throughout the morning at UCO’s Hamilton Field House. Swimming will feature a record 50 athletes competing in a variety of strokes.
Amputee athlete aims for Olympics
By Orla Guerin
BBC Africa correspondent
Pistorius made his international debut at the 2004 Paralympics
Three years ago Oscar Pistorius had never stepped onto a track, let alone run a race.
Today he is an athletics sensation - holder of world records in the 100m, 200m and 400m events.
His coach, Ampie Louw, says Oscar is "a natural champion - born that way".
The 20-year-old South African is one of a handful of runners around the globe who could make the Olympic qualifying time. He is less than a second away.
But Oscar's Olympic bid is like no other - he is a double amputee.
'Blade runner'
At birth he was missing bones below the knee.
After his legs were removed, at the age of one, he learnt to walk on prosthetics, and he believes this pushed him to excel.
Pistorius will compete at next month's Paralympic World Cup
He has done everything from quad biking to water skiing. He took up athletics as rehabilitation for a rugby injury.
On the track, they call him "blade runner" - thanks to his carbon fibre prosthetics, custom-made in Iceland.
He and his blades, called Cheetahs, have run into sporting history, and into controversy.
He has been dogged by claims that the blades give him an extra long stride - something he denies.
The manufacturers, Ossur, say the blades are "passive devices", which lag way behind what biological legs can do.
They insist the Cheetahs are not performance-enhancing, but simply give amputee athletes a fighting chance.
Winning ingredient
Oscar says he is the winning ingredient, not the blades.
SPRINT COMPARISONS
400m times (in secs):
46.56 - Pistorius world record
47.8 - 1928 Olympic gold
44.00 - 2004 Olympic gold
200m times:
21.58 - Pistorius world record
22.0 - 1920 Olympic gold
19.79 - 2004 Olympic gold
100m times:
10.91 - Pistorius world record
11.2 - 1906 Olympic gold
9.85 - 2004 Olympic gold
He is outrunning single amputees using the Cheetahs.
"I train harder than any of the other guys do," he says.
"I put in more hours. I eat better. I sleep better. I rest better and, overall, I am more diligent."
He has just shown what he can do against able-bodied athletes.
In South Africa's National Championships in Durban last month, he came in second.
"I don't see myself as disabled, and I think it's the guy that wants to win the hardest that's gets it," he explains.
Oscar's next challenge is the Visa Paralympic World Cup in Manchester next month, but he is looking ahead to Beijing in 2008.
Olympic hopes
One of Britain's sporting heroes, former world record holder Colin Jackson, says he should be given the chance.
There's never been a disabled athlete running in the Olympics - there's fear of change
Oscar Pistorius
"I think it's a great idea, if he makes it as the first paralympian," he told BBC News.
"He's one of these guys who is a genuine athlete. And he's young enough to not only make 2008, but to compete also in 2012, which would be really sensational."
But the world body governing athletics, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), has already moved to block him from the Olympics, with a new ruling banning "technical aids".
Senior officials have "suspicions" about his performance on the Cheetahs.
Oscar says his critics are only looking at the advantages of the blades - "if there are any" - and not the disadvantages.
"There's never been a disabled athlete running in the Olympics," he says.
"There's a fear of change."
Oscar believes some people just do not like the competition, but he says he will keep chasing his dream
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