Gwangju 2015: Australian water polo girls taste golden success at the Universiade

Australia takes on Russia in the women’s semi-final (photo: Davis Harrigan)

One of the ultimate successes at a global sporting competition is to take home a gold medal.  To do so by saving three Canadian penalty shots is a bonus, and if Lilian Hedges, the Australian women’s water polo goalkeeper, will remember one thing above all else, it will be those crucial moments in the shootout on the penultimate day of the 28^th Summer Universiade.

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Gwangju 2015: Universiade handball medals in Naju are a hit

Korea and Switzerland head to head in the handball bronze medal match (photo: Davis Harrigan)

The intensity of handball makes it so hard to turn away for even a second.  When you do, the ball’s already managed to make its way into the net at the other end of the court.

As the Universiade wrapped up an incredible competition, so did Switzerland, Korea, Serbia and Portugal in the men’s bronze and gold medal matches.  Thundersticks held by fans in the crowd turned a cavernous stadium into an electric sporting nirvana.

Gwangju 2015: No clutter on court for Elliott

Elliott Clutterbuck (photo: Davis Harrigan)

Elliott Clutterbuck of Australia has quite the badminton resume.  More than 10 international tournaments, time in Beijing and starting the sport at age nine means his experience allows him to play an all-round role for the team.

“For the last two years I’ve been based in Beijing, playing for a Beijing team and in Northern China.  I first played for Australia when I was 16.”

Gwangju 2015: Double gold for France is a night to remember

France‘s three fencing medal winners (photo: Davis Harrigan)

Two fencing gold medal matches, two gold medals.  France’s colours flew in full force on Sunday at the Kim Dae-jeung Convention Centre, where Yannick Borell and Jeromine Mpah NJanga clinched victories in the men’s epee individual and women’s foil individual events.

Gwangju 2015: FISU in full readiness for the opening of the Gwangju universiade

FISU and Gwangju OC delegates at Thursday’s press conference (photo: Davis Harrigan)

“We have a project before, and a legacy after,” International University Sport Federation (FISU) president Claude-Louis Gallien said to a large press crowd in the Gwangju Press Centre.

The 28^th Universiade gets underway tomorrow with a spectacular opening ceremony, and Louis-Gallien said that Korea is well suited to hosting major events. 

Gwangju 2015: Kerri Pottharst says building belief is the key to success

Kerri Pottharst on the beach volleyball sand (photo: Getty)

(This post first appeared on the Australian Uniroos website)

The mantra of three time Olympian and beach volleyball gold medal winner Kerri Pottharst is self-belief.

Ahead of her role as the Peak Performance Mentor for the Australian Uniroos at the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade, she answers some questions from FISU Young Reporter Davis Harrigan.

1. Having had a very successful Olympic and international career, how will you be able to best impart advice to individuals and teams, having specialised at volleyball in a global event?

My role with the Uniroos is to be there to support them. To understand what they are going through. To share stories of the various experiences I had during three Olympic campaigns. I’ll be there with the athletes to listen to what they’re going through, to inspire them to be their best and to help them deal with nerves, fears or doubts.