Aussies win swag of medals at Maccabiah Games
AUSTRALIA has enjoyed a golden week at the 18th Maccabiah Games, winning medals in a variety of sports.
DAVID WEINER
AFTER a quiet opening, Australia has enjoyed a golden week at the 18th Maccabiah Games.
One of the stories of the Games is the success of Maccabiah veteran Roy Vandersluis. After nine attempts -— a Maccabiah record —- spanning more than 36 years, Vandersluis finally snared gold in the team’s golf event, a remarkable achievement for Australia’s flag-bearer.
The pool has always been a happy hunting ground for Australian teams and 2009 is no different, with youngster Marni Burger and master Jeff Sher bringing home a swag of medals. And there is a possibility of more to come.
In the team sports, the junior netball girls were the first to claim a crown, sweeping all before them to romp to the gold medal, with the seniors vying to join them with a win on the final day of the Games.
The Wingate Institute of Sport has played host to the spectacular sight of the rugby competition, where Australia has scored a historic gold medal win against Great Britain 19-16.
On the solo stage, Australia has picked up medals at regular intervals. Hendrik Zimmet and John Cohen claimed the team’s first bronze, before Jason Rhine and “triathlon granny” Anne Besser also claimed bronze.
Karate competitors Hayden Gomer and Michael Basckin took home bronze medals, while young athlete David Lazarus salvaged Australia’s pride in the track and field with a 3000-metre bronze medal.
Robbie Baskin did, however, come close to a bronze in the blue ribbon 100-metre final, finishing behind three Israelis.
Lena Sachs celebrated her 21st birthday by teaming with her mum Debbie and teammate Jackie Vilensky to claim a silver in the ten-pin bowling teams event, 12 years after Debbie and Jackie teamed up to claim a medal at the fateful 1997 games.