Superb success for Special Olympics team

Athletes from the Special Olympics North Devon club have been competing all over the country in recent weeks, achieving some brilliant results.

Daniel Weston, from Barnstaple, travelled to the Special Olympics Yorkshire and Humberside National Cycling competition, held at Wyke Community Sports Village Road Circuit, Bradford, where he came first and returned to the club with gold medals in three events.

A team of seven athletes, along with three volunteers and a coach supporting them, travelled up to the Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury, near Wolverhampton, to attend the Special Olympics West Midlands Table Tennis tournament.

Barnstaple’s Kyle Kingdon won Gold, and there were silver medals for Barnstaple’s Graham Mitchell and Appledore’s Jack Smale in male competition. In the female singles, there was a gold medal for Landkey’s Fiona Lane and fourth place positions for Barnstaple’s Fredrika Karlsson, Sam Wright of Barnstaple and Claire Johns from Barnstaple.

On Sunday the team took part in the various Doubles competitions, which saw Kyle Kingdon and Graham Mitchell win Gold in the men’s doubles, silver medals for Fiona and Fredrika in the women’s doubles, before Fredrika and Kyle won gold in the mixed doubles and both Fiona and Graham and Jack and Sam won Silver. There was also a participation medal for Clarie Johns in the knockout open competition whilst Kyle received a trophy for Young Player of the tournament.

“The athletes have been working hard for many years and for them to be able to train and compete in sports is a great opportunity, which gives them such confidence” said team leader Julie Kemish-Mills. “To be able to travel, sometimes away from family, to compete is a big thing and the table tennis competition was the first time for three of our athletes to experience an overnight stay for a competition.

Special Olympics North Devon runs sporting sessions on most Saturdays during term time at Tarka Tennis / Leisure Centre, Seven Brethren Bank, Barnstaple from 1pm until 2.45pm. Each session costs £3 and further details are available by contacting Julie on 07557 388285 or visiting Special Olympics North Devon on Facebook.