Success at World Games
The Uniroos womens basketball team (Sarah Graham 7th from left)
Monash University students have tasted success at the World University Games (WUG) in Shenzen, China with Caroline Marton (taekwondo) and Sarah Graham (basketball) both winning bronze medals.
Caroline, currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) won bronze in the women's 57-62kg taekwondo event. On her return to Australia, Caroline’s sights will be firmly fitted on being selected for the Olympic Games in London next year.
Sarah, completing her Juris Doctor degree, was part of the Australian Uniroos women’s basketball team that beat Sweden (66 – 56) in the bronze medal decider. When not representing Australia on the world stage, Sarah plays for Logan Thunder in the WNBL.
The basketball competition at the WUGs is now considered to be the premier international basketball tournament behind the Olympics and World Championships.
Bachelor of Business Commerce student Alison Bai competing in tennis, lost in the second round of the women’s singles competition, going down to the Czech Republic (6-2, 6-3). Alison and her partner Samuel Thompson from Melbourne University were defeated in the third round of the mixed doubles by Chinese Taipei (6-3, 6-2).
Martin Doulton, Director Monash Sport and a member of the Oceania University Sports Association said that the Summer Universiade is truly an Olympic Games experience - in- waiting for all the participants.
“Its Olympic-style format allows elite student athletes to gain experience on the world stage,” Mr Doulton said.
“There were large numbers of student athletes from Europe, Latin America, North America and Asia – hopefully we will see more students from Australia take this opportunity to represent their country in years to come.”
The Australian team comprised of 148 athletes, 59 team officials and eight technical officials and was the largest university team to represent Australia at an overseas competition.
The final medal tally for the Australian team was five gold, three silver and eight bronze medals.
Monash University was also represented at the games by Monash University Sport Hall of Fame inductee, Eddie Dennis, coach of the water polo team and Liana Cope, a physiotherapist on the Australian team.