Cory Teunissen has won Australia’s first medal at the ANOC World Beach Games, claiming silver in the Wakeboarding final in Doha.
The silver is Australia’s first medal at the first ever ANOC World Beach Games and the first time Wakeboarding has been part of an Australian Olympic Committee-run Team.
Teunissen finished with a score of 84.22, just two points behind winner Massimililiano Piffaretti of Italy with 86.22 and clear of bronze medal winner Guenther Oka of USA in 82.67.
The two-time Wakeboarding World Champion was ecstatic to win a medal for his first multisport team.
“To win Australia’s first medal at the first ever Beach Games, I’m just stoked,” Teunissen said.
“To be part of this awesome event and included in the Olympic environment has been great for me and great for our sport. Winning this medal for our whole Team is a really humbling experience.
“I’m used to having other Aussie wakeboarders on tour, but it’s a completely different experience sharing with athletes from so many sports.”
Australian sport climbers and handballers were lining the Legtaifiya Lagoon venue to cheer on Teunissen.
“Hearing the Aussies cheering as I rode past them was great, being able to feel that support from the Aussie athletes on my run was brilliant. I’m looking forward to being able to get out and cheer the them on in comp now I’ve finished.
“Being part of a team like this and able to share stories with the other athletes about why they love their own sports and what drives them is really inspiring for me. I get a lot back from that to push myself further and further. And to be able to bring home a medal for the Australian Team on top of that, it just caps off the whole experience.”
The Burleigh local, who is based out of Orlando, Florida during the Australian winter, will finish his season in the upcoming World Championships in Mexico.
“I’m nearly done for the year, have one more event at the World Championships in Mexico then time for some rest that I really need. I’m feeling a bit battered and bruised after a long season, but this is a great way to head into the end of our year.”
The Australian Team continues competition with Beach Handball and Beach Volleyball kicking off their finals today, with Kitefoil Racing heading into the medal rounds from tomorrow.
