Beijing 2008

Sharon wins gold in doubles!
Monday, September 15 – Today, Sharon Walraven and her partner Korie Homan seized gold at the Paralympics by winning the doubles final in the wheelchair tennis competition against Dutch couple Esther Vergeer and Jiske Griffioen (2-6, 7-6, 6-4). After her silver medal of Sydney this is Sharon’s first gold medal, in her second appearance at the Paralympics. We congratulate Sharon with this great achievement!

Sharon Walraven eliminated
Thursday, September 11 - Sharon Walraven was unfortunately eliminated from the singles tournament after losing in two sets against fifth-seeded French Florence Gravellier (1-6, 4-6). In the doubles tournament, Sharon and her partner Korie Homan (NL) keep a shot at winning an Olympic medal after defeating the Chinese double Fuli Dong and Dandan Hu (6-0, 6-2). Their semi final match is scheduled for Saturday, September 13.

Sharon Walraven qualifies for next round
Wednesday, September 10 - Wheelchair tennis player and Unlimited Sports Team member Sharon Walraven moved on to round three in the Paralympics singles tournament by defeating Kaitlyn Verfuerth of the USA today in straight sets: 6-1,7-5. Tomorrow she will play her first doubles match with Dutch Korie Homan.

First medals Dutch Paralympic Team
Tuesday, September 9. The first three medals for the Dutch Paralympic Team (NPT) were won yesterday by Annette Roozen (long jump, silver), and swimmers Mirjam de Koning (silver) and Mike van der Zanden (bronze). Sharon Walraven started her singles tournament with a win over Spanish Lola Ochoa (6-2, 6-1). In her second round match on Wednesday she will meet Verfuerth from the USA and Thursday she plays her first doubles match with Dutch Korie Homan.

The Paralympics have started!
Monday, September 8. Last Saturday, the Beijing Paralympic Games were opened with a spectacular opening ceremony, reminiscent of the opening of the Olympics in August. The massive display of light and color, themed “Transcendence, Integration, Equality”, underlined the organizing committees’ promise that these Games will be equal to the Olympics.

Some 4000 athletes from 148 countries participate in the Paralympics which will take place from September 6 until the 17th. After two days of competition, host country China is once again leading the medal standings with the USA and United Kingdom in second and third place. The Swiss and Dutch delegations have not yet won a medal.