Golden run continues for City to Surf Winner
08.09.2009
Golden run continues for City to Surf winner Melinda Vernon.
She has claimed Australia's first gold medal of the 2009 Deaflympic Games, turning on a breathtaking performance to take out the women's 10,000m in Taipei overnight. The 23-year-old, who was born profoundly deaf, stamped her credentials as the world’s premier deaf female middle distance runner, leading from start to finish to record a commanding win. Vernon took control of the race early and never looked back, setting a new Deaflympic record of 35:14.07 in the hot and humid conditions.In taking out the event, Vernon cut over two minutes from the previous race record of 37:26.42, set by fellow Australian Joanne Lambert at the 2001 edition of the meet in Rome, Italy. The 2008 national 10,000m champion and 2008 world cross country representative said the win was the ultimate reward for months of hard work."To win Australia’s first gold medal at the Games is fantastic," Vernon said."There was a lot of pressure going into the race as favourite but I am thrilled that all the hard work preparing for the race has paid off. "The Deaflympics is a great chance to gain more international experience and do my country proud and I will learn so much from tonight’s race." Vernon’s victory in the 10,000m marks the start of a busy campaign for the New South Wales athlete, who will start as a firm favourite in both the 1500m on Wednesday night and the 5000m on Sunday night.Following the Games Vernon, also a dominant force on the open track and field circuit, will turn her attention to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, and the 2012 London Olympics. An inspiring role model for the deaf community, Vernon was born profoundly deaf in both ears and at the age of six became the 50th Australian to receive a cochlear implant. The 2009 Deaflympic Games features over 4,000 athletes from 81 countries, with Australia sending a team of 47 to Taipei across athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, orienteering, judo, swimming, table tennis and tennis.
Golden run continues for City to Surf winner Melinda Vernon.
She has claimed Australia's first gold medal of the 2009 Deaflympic Games, turning on a breathtaking performance to take out the women's 10,000m in Taipei overnight. The 23-year-old, who was born profoundly deaf, stamped her credentials as the world’s premier deaf female middle distance runner, leading from start to finish to record a commanding win. Vernon took control of the race early and never looked back, setting a new Deaflympic record of 35:14.07 in the hot and humid conditions.In taking out the event, Vernon cut over two minutes from the previous race record of 37:26.42, set by fellow Australian Joanne Lambert at the 2001 edition of the meet in Rome, Italy. The 2008 national 10,000m champion and 2008 world cross country representative said the win was the ultimate reward for months of hard work."To win Australia’s first gold medal at the Games is fantastic," Vernon said."There was a lot of pressure going into the race as favourite but I am thrilled that all the hard work preparing for the race has paid off. "The Deaflympics is a great chance to gain more international experience and do my country proud and I will learn so much from tonight’s race." Vernon’s victory in the 10,000m marks the start of a busy campaign for the New South Wales athlete, who will start as a firm favourite in both the 1500m on Wednesday night and the 5000m on Sunday night.Following the Games Vernon, also a dominant force on the open track and field circuit, will turn her attention to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, and the 2012 London Olympics. An inspiring role model for the deaf community, Vernon was born profoundly deaf in both ears and at the age of six became the 50th Australian to receive a cochlear implant. The 2009 Deaflympic Games features over 4,000 athletes from 81 countries, with Australia sending a team of 47 to Taipei across athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, orienteering, judo, swimming, table tennis and tennis.
posted by Friar at Wednesday, September 09, 2009
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