Team South secured victories in badminton, rowing, and swimming on the penultimate day of the inaugural Libby Kosmala Para Futures Cup at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Comprising athletes from the VIS and the Tasmanian Institute of Sport, the southern contingent charged through the morning sessions, capturing the badminton crown ahead of Team West, Team East, and Team North.
Rowing Ergometers Deliver Intense Rivalry and Tight Finishes
Action quickly shifted to the AIS Performance Gym, where Team South narrowly edged Team West on the rowing ergometers. Emma Barnett of the Tasmanian Institute of Sport drove the charge by collecting 100 points in the women’s 500m event. The fierce battle left Team West lead Jed Altschwager, a Paralympic rowing champion, to concede bragging rights in his own specialized discipline.
Nearby, Team South claimed second place on the cycling ergometers behind Team West. Mia Halliday of the TIS won the women’s two-minute time trial, averaging 366 watts to secure another crucial 100 points for her squad. Despite intense athletic rivalries, an atmosphere of communal support prevailed. Athletes who had only met days prior gathered around the ergometers to shout encouragement regardless of team colors, under the watchful eyes of Paralympic champions Emily Petricola, Altschwager, and Nikki Ayers.
Team South Wins Swimming as Shooters Advance
Carrying momentum into the afternoon, Team South won the swimming competition overall. Keira Warwick swept the 50m events, Amber Stelling claimed victory in the 100m freestyle, and Blake Tonkin posted a personal best in the pool.
VIS athletes also notched notable achievements on the shooting range. Steve Obeid sharpened his skills under the guidance of Winter Paralympian Taryn Dickens, while Cayden Bell received coaching from Paralympic shooting great Libby Kosmala. Bell progressed so rapidly through the exercises that he bypassed competition targets entirely to advance straight to 10m rifle targets.
Standings Ahead of the Final Day of Competition
Despite a surge of discipline victories across the penultimate day, Team South enters the final day sitting fourth in the overall standings with 900 points. Team West leads the leaderboard with 1,202 points, followed by Team North with 1,161 points and Team East with 982 points.
Athletics Program Closes the Inaugural Event
The inaugural Libby Kosmala Para Futures Cup concludes on Monday, 5 October, with athletics events closing out the sports program before the official trophy presentation takes place.
