NSW athletes dominate Australian Virtus Global Games selections

Published Wed 24 May 2023

24 May 2023

NSW athletes dominate Australian Virtus Global Games selections

11 NSW athletes have been named in the 27-strong Australian team for the 2023 Virtus Global Games to be held in Vichy in France in June.

The 27-member athletics team surpasses the previous largest team of 22 athletics which contest the 2017 Virtus World Championships in Bangkok.

Athletics, along with Swimming, is one of Virtus’ oldest sports with the first World Championship held in Sweden in 1989. Australia has proud history of competing at all Virtus Athletics World Championships and Global Games except for 2021 World Championships held in Poland due to COVID restrictions.

At the 2023 Games, 11 sports will be conducted for athletes. The Global Games is the most important international competition for high-level athletes with mental or psychological disabilities. The Athletics competition will run over 4 days from 6-9 June.

The NSW contingent is spearheaded by team veteran Stephanie Schweitzer. The 30-year-old made her international debut in 2007 at the INAS-FID World Championships. She competed at her first Global Games in 2011, where she won silver in the 100m. In 2023 she will line up in the 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles and heptathlon.

NSW members of the Australian team are:

Aaron Houston - 1500m, 5000m

Amelia Mazzei - 100m, 200m, 400m, Relays

Annabelle Rodgers - Shot put, Discus, Javelin

Blake Carr - Discus, 110m Hurdles, Long Jump

Jack Connors - Discus, Shot put,

Kyle McIntosh - 1500m, 5000m

Lleyton Lloyd - 100m, 200m, Long jump, relays

Malachi Canning - Discus, Javelin

Sammy Muamba - 100m, 200m, Relays

Stephanie Schweitzer - Heptathlon, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles

Telaya Blacksmith - 100m, 200m, 400m and long jump