Davison claims Deaflympics gold

From: BBC Sport, UK - Jan 7, 2005

Hammer thrower Joanne Davison claimed Britain's first Deaflympics 2005 gold in Melbourne on Friday.

The 40-year-old from Sussex, making her Deaflympics debut, threw 41.60m in the third round after fouls in her first two rounds.

"I'm elated and so proud to have won GB's first gold of the Games," said Davison afterwards.

"I felt I didn't perform to my usual standard, but I am over the moon to get the medal I have trained so hard for."

On the track, Matthew Butler qualified for the final of the 1500m in a time of four minutes 13.16 seconds but Doug Rathey missed out after being spiked during the race.

Sprinter Jessica Everhurst missed out on a place in the 100m final after finishing eighth in her semi-final.

Elsewhere at the Games, all four British competitors advanced to the last 16 of the tennis men's singles.

Dan Tunstall beat Australian Tom Pell 6-2 6-1 to set up a meeting with German top seed and defending champion Ronald-Oliver Krieg.

There were also straight sets wins for Peter Willcox, Darren O'Donnell and Anthony Sinclair, while Willcox and Sally Clark reached the second round of the mixed doubles.

The men's football team continued on winning ways, beating Australia 5-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Lee Farrell and strikes from Chris Naylor and Steven Gardiner.

Story from BBC SPORT: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/4155339.stm

Published: 2005/01/07 14:37:06 GMT

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