16 September 2008
Kylie Gauci and the Australian Gliders have finished their Olympic campaign on a high, beating Japan 53-47 in the bronze medal play-off of the Women’s Wheelchair Basketball competition.
Gauci, nicknamed ‘Go-Go Gauci’ for her tremendous speed on the court, put forward a strong performance scoring 10 points. Along with Gauci, Liesl ‘T-Train’ Tesch started all through the tournament, again putting up strong numbers with a game high 16 points for the Gliders.
After a devastating loss to the USA in the semi-final, it was coach Gerry Hewson who provided inspiration for the girls to step up and take the bronze.
Tesch will now back up for her sixth Olympics hoping for gold in London.
“It means I can’t retire because I’ve got two silver and a bronze and I need one of that other colour still,’’ she said.
“So back in the wheelchair this old horse will go.’’
Along with Gauci and Tesch, NSWIS athletes Tina McKenzie, Sarah Stewart and Katie Hill all took away a bronze medal.
In other results last night, Ryley Batt led Australia’s Wheelchair Rugby Team into the gold medal playoff after a win over Canada 41-40. Batt scored a game high 23 points and will need to fire if Australia are to beat the USA for gold.