Thu 5 Aug 2010 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
New Zealand athletes have claimed a pile of medals so far at Gay Games Cologne, led by almighty efforts in the pool and on the running track. Swimmers Team Auckland Masters Swimmers have a strong contingent in Germany, with one swimmer in particular making a grand splash. Berend Westera has won four gold medals in 65-69 age group events. They came in the 100 metre freestyle, 100 metre backstroke, 200 metre backstroke and 50 metre backstroke, where he also set an IGLA and meet record with his 43.10 second effort. Ron Judd Team Auckland founder Ron Judd has been another stand-out in the age group, winning silver medals in the 200 metre freestyle, 100 metre butterfly and 100 metre freestyle – where he came second to his speedy teammate Westera. Cynthia Borne's won silver in the 800 metre freestyle (45-49 age group), Kevin Hudson has nabbed a bronze in the 50 metre backstroke (55-59 age group) and Edward Jenner has won bronze in the 100 metre breaststroke (60-64 age group). The winning efforts were not just solo; Team Auckland's Berend Westera, Edward Jenner, Ron Judd and Moana Nepia have taken gold in the senior 4x100 medley, where the combined ages have to add up to between 240 and 279. Ron Judd, Alberto Bonini, Berend Westera and Kevin Hudson have won silver in the 4x50 m Freestyle with the same age rule. On the track Aucklander David Matulovich looks set to return home with a suitcase full of medals after tearing up the track in the 40-44 age group, winning gold medals in the 5,000 metres and 1,500 metres and silver in the 5,000 metre race walk. He has qualified with the second-fastest time for the 800 metres. Another Aucklander, Anthony Lymburn, has won gold medals in the 60-64 age 100 metres and 400 metres. Michael Small claimed silver in the 5,000 metre race walk and finished 5th in the 5,000 metres in the 50-54 age range. Michael Sumner came fourth in the 5,000 metres in the 60-64 age group. Cycling, tennis and bodybuilding Mark Forder receiving one of his two medals so far Auckland cyclist Mark Forder has won gold in the criterium and silver in the men's road race. He still has two races to go, the individual time trial and team time trial. Forder tells GayNZ.com he is having "a blast" in Cologne. John Gates and Andreas Theodorou have made it through to the semi-finals of the men's over-40 doubles in the tennis, where they will take on an American pair for a place in the final. Gates made it to the quarter finals in the over-50 singles, but went down in two sets to a German competitor. Edward Cowley finished fifth in the over-40 bodybuilding (physique)competition. He was the sole non-American competitor. The games run through till August 7 and GayNZ.com will have a full update on New Zealand's medal tally.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 5th August 2010 - 8:42pm