Australian Tenpin Bowlers Shine at Special Olympics World Summer Games
By Tenpin Bowling Australia
The Special Olympics Australian Tenpin Bowling team has won several medals in an impressive performance at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany.
Team Australia has a total of 64 athletes at the event with four tenpin bowlers taking part in Berlin for their first-ever World games. The members of the tenpin bowling team are (pictured left to right): Angela Fowler (NSW), Brooke Greenhalgh (VIC), Michael Wheatley (NSW) and Robert Goodrem (VIC).
Over 7,000 athletes from 180 delegations were welcomed to a huge party to kick the festivities off at the Opening Ceremony. Approximately 50,000 people packed the Olympic Stadium to welcome the athletes and to celebrate inclusion in style with music, fireworks, and dancing.
After the celebration, it was time to lock into competition and the Aussies didn’t take long to warm into their new surroundings.
As their campaign kicked off, the bowlers became the first Australian team to receive a medal at the Special Olympics World Games when the team claimed the bronze medal in the Teams of four event.
It didn’t take long until more medals were won with Australia’s Michael Wheatley (NSW) and Robert Goodrem (VIC) claiming the gold medal in the Men’s Doubles event. Michael Wheatley (NSW),
Head coach Justin Lopes was thrilled with the result.
“The gold medal in the men’s doubles resulted from a very tight competition. Michael and Robert did extremely well with both bowling above their average, so it was a well-deserved victory”.
“Angela and Brooke faced some extremely tough competition in the Women’s Doubles but performed well and bowled above their average to win the bronze medal.
“I am so pleased for the athletes as they have excelled on the lanes, but even more than that, their attitude has been 120% brilliant all the time and I am very proud of them” added Lopes.
On Friday and Saturday, the good times rolled on with the Singles event taking place at the event. Victorian Robert Goodrem added to his collection of medals claiming the gold medal in the D60 classification to put an exclamation point on the end of a very successful event for the Aussies.
Tenpin Bowling Australia congratulates all the members of Team Australia for their outstanding results achieved at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany. Tenpin Bowling Australia also thanks Special Olympics Australia for providing the photos in this article.
