Jason Maskell won two gold medals at the Special Olympics National Games.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
It’s not every day you get to compete at Australia’s Special Olympics National Games.
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However, for Shepparton’s Jason Maskell, taking out two gold medals in tenpin bowling at the event last week was an added bonus.
“Just being there and being a part of it was a great achievement,” he said.
“I was really happy to have the opportunity.”
Representing Victoria alongside bowlers from Melbourne, Mr Maskell took out gold medals for the doubles and teams events, held at Wyncity Keon Park in the Melbourne suburb of Thomastown.
The achievement was significant, with 172 people from across Australia competing in tenpin bowling at the games.
In the singles event he finished fifth.
“I was over the moon,” he said of winning the gold medals.
“I nearly went to bed with them.”
Winning the medals didn’t come without hard work. In the lead-up to the event, he bowled at least twice a week and attended four or five training sessions with fellow competitors in Melbourne.
The Special Olympics is a global movement improving inclusion through sports for people with intellectual disability and/or autism.
The National Games are held every four years and this year the event marked the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics in Australia.
For Mr Maskell the event wasn’t just about competing, but making connections with other like-minded people.
A highlight was meeting competitors who came from all over Australia for the event.
“I met a lot of people from different states and made some new friends,” he said.
Mr Maskell thanked the local community for their support. In the lead-up to the event community members collected cans and bottles to help him cover the costs of attending.
Jason Maskell won two gold medals at the Special Olympics National Games.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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