In-form Lions to roar into city led by TV star Soko
RIDERS PLAYING CATCH-UP AFTER WEEKEND OFF
My first Paralympics was Athens in 2004, and after winning two silver medals for swimming at London 2012, I thought I might retire.
I took a break, but soon realised
I had unfinished business – sport is so addictive and I’d definitely caught the bug!
So I jumped back in and began training for Rio 2016.
Winning a gold medal in Brazil spurred my desire to continue as an elite athlete. But I was looking for another challenge. Paratriathlon has always interested me and, in 2017, I was given the opportunity to make the move through UK Sport’s World Class Talent Transfer programme. This helps athletes who want to explore their potential in a different sport.
It means I still receive support from The National Lottery, which is amazing.
I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the funding from players. Transferring to paratriathlon was way out of my comfort zone. You might think the swimming leg would be a breeze for me. But competing in a pool and in open water are so different. And it’s pretty disconcerting to have unknown creatures swimming around you!
All in all, it’s been a real challenge and a steep learning curve. However, as I’m the current World Champion, I couldn’t be happier that I made the change.
I’m feeling really good and, although I still need to qualify, I’m excited at even the thought of competing at the Tokyo Games this summer.
LEICESTER Riders head coach Rob Paternostro is looking for his team to make up ground in the BBL Championship, as they run into a busy schedule, starting with the visit of London Lions to the Morningside Arena on Friday night.
Riders had the weekend off as their Championship match versus Newcastle Eagles was postponed, and now, like last season, they have a lot of games in hand on the teams above them in the table.
“We have only played four league games so far, so obviously we have a lot of catching up to do,” said Paternostro.
“But we have a decent record overall, when you count in the Cup and Trophy games, and the top clubs in the BBL are in a very similar situation to us in terms of overall results.
“We were in the same situation last year, with a lot of games in hand, and we managed to make up a lot of ground, once we got into our rhythm.
“Our biggest challenge has been to get some continuity into our play, not helped by the injuries and the chopping and changing.
“This London game in a big one because they have lost only once in the Championship so far, and have been bang in form, and playing at a high level.
“The second half schedule is packed for us and we are going to find out the guys who can stay healthy and manage that load.
“We are going to have to adjust our training schedules in the second half of the season to deal with that.
“The guys are all itching to play, and they don’t worry about it, but it will be something we have to manage.”
Friday’s match against the Lions, led by their GB stars Justin Robinson and Ovie Soko, a former Love Island contestant, is certain to be a sell-out and will tip off at the slightly later time of 8pm.
Elsewhere, Worcester Wolves lifted the BBL Cup for the first time in their history, after beating Bristol Flyers 67-59 in Sunday’s final in front of a record 9,300 fans at Arena Birmingham.
American Amir Williams was named MVP after dominating the paint at both ends.
The 6ft 11in former Memphis Grizzlies G League centre posted 23 points on 73 per cent shooting, completing a double-double with 13 rebounds and adding five big blocks.
The Wolves led from tip to buzzer but the Flyers got back to within one shot heading into the final three minutes, but the Wolves’ Kofi Josephs scored the key basket to keep the Flyers at arm’s length, and added a pair of late free throws to seal it.
Newcastle Eagles are through to the BBL Trophy semi-finals after an 86-79 win over Sheffield Sharks.
Rahmon Fletcher helped push the Eagles through by racking up 30 points whilst his teammate CJ Gettys picked up a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Team Solent Kestrels became the first ever National Basketball League Division One team to make it through to the Trophy semi-finals after beating Worthing Thunder 94-81.
Ian Smith led his team by racking up 21 points, backed by Travis Charles and Jonathan Lashley, who combined for an additional 31 points.
In the BBL Championship, Glasgow Rocks picked up a comfortable home win, defeating Surrey Scorchers, 102-81.
Greg Pryor was key to the Glaswegian side’s victory, picking up 29 points and nine rebounds, and he was assisted by Gareth Murray, who knocked down 17 points, and Ali Fraser, who picked up a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Bristol 59 Worcester 67 (BBL Cup Final); Glasgow 102 Surrey 81 (BBL Championship); Newcastle 86 Sheffield 79, Worthing 81 Team Solent 94 (BBL Trophy).
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