BEIJING— The U.S. beat Great Britain and Australia upset Canada on Monday in the Beijing Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby semifinals. The U.S. will play Australia today for the gold medal. The U.S. team has won two previous gold medals in the sport, however won only a bronze medal in Athens in 2004. Australia’s secret weapon is "Magic Boy" Ryley Batt, an incredibly strong player who has helped Australia achieve excellent status in the game. Nonetheless, the U.S. is favored to win.
SOURCES:
U.S., Australia to fight for wheelchair rugby gold at Beijing Paralympics
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/15/content_10023237.htm
Ryley Batt Set to Dominate Wheelchair Rugby
http://7thspace.com/headlines/292931/ryley_batt_set_to_dominate_wheelchair_rugby.html
U.S. Paralympic rugby team, including Austin-based players and coach, goes for gold today
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/09/16/0916pararugby.html
RELATED:
Murderball’s Back, Baby!
http://deadspin.com/5049496/murderballs-back-baby-watch-your-toes
Murderball: Movie
http://www.murderballmovie.com/
SOURCES:
U.S., Australia to fight for wheelchair rugby gold at Beijing Paralympics
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/15/content_10023237.htm
Ryley Batt Set to Dominate Wheelchair Rugby
http://7thspace.com/headlines/292931/ryley_batt_set_to_dominate_wheelchair_rugby.html
U.S. Paralympic rugby team, including Austin-based players and coach, goes for gold today
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/09/16/0916pararugby.html
RELATED:
Murderball’s Back, Baby!
http://deadspin.com/5049496/murderballs-back-baby-watch-your-toes
Murderball: Movie
http://www.murderballmovie.com/
34 comments:
As many people have say "People with Disabilities have brought home more gold medal then people who do not have a disability." I strongly believe that people with disability do work harder and have goals set for themselves in what they want to achieve. It nice to see and hear that they are going all out to try and earn that medal. I see many people that do and do not have disabiities and they often say they can't do anything, these game are good example of what can be done if they put their mind to it.
Jenny G.
Good response regarding athletes with disabilites.
Emede R.
It's great to see that individuals with disabilities are being noticed as athletes. Are being talked about as people first and disability second. The United states will win the Murderball gold this year. I think after the movie Murderball came out the team feels the need to bring back the gold. Murderball is actually called quad rugby meant for quadraplegics to play the game. The author did a good job in not using words that label,stereotype and devalue an individual with a disability. The article was a litle too short. I think the author could of elaborated more on the names of players, coaches and the object of the game. I think poeple would like to know more background information on the athletes and the game because afterall its a sport played by people. Give us some stats author? Tell me who the leading scores are for both teams. They do it during a Celtics vs Lakers championship game.
Emede R.
Is there anywhere that we can watch these events on TV? I'd really like to watch them!
I am glad of your accomplishments and I know that you will go far. I agree with Cassie I want to know if this are showing.
Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to watch these games. They seem very interesting! :) I hope U.S. win . I support our Country for the Gold Medal!
Claudia P.
I believe it is amazing how people with disabilities can accomplish so much and bring so much pride to us americans. I believe that lessons can be learned from heroes like these that learn to cope or overcome their disabilities and manage to achieve their goals.
Brandon R.
A few days ago i watched a video of that sport and it was amazing what those guys could do. They are some really tough guys. In the video they basically explained how they want to be treated equally and dont want to feel useless. This is great. GO USA!!
Ediel B
I think it's great that once again athletes can bring so much pride to the U.S. Whether these athletes have disabilities or do not, these athletes work hard to represent there country and show what the United States has to offer. The fact that we have the best athletes playing Murderball is just another thing the U.S. and the athletes participating can add to there list of accomplishments. It's nice to know that all the work that goes into training for these athletes is paying off! They deserve the gold! Go USA!
Laura E.
i think murderball is a great sport that gives people with disabilities the opportunity to show their athleticism. i saw the first documentary when it first came out and i thought it was very intense. the men who compete in the sport have the heart of any other athlete and they display it even more than ive ever seen. one thing that i did find dangerous was the impact of two players. i noticed due to disabilities some where unable to pick themselves off the floor. none of the players seem to be bothered by it but i thought it was dangerous cuz the wheelchair flips over and the player can hit his head on the floor or possibly break an arm while tryin to break his fall.
-gary g.
The Sport of Murder Ball is one that has gained great notoriety throughout the years, and with the recent movie on it has boosted it even more onto the limelight. And now with its increased watchers of the sport, it has drawn lots of attention in its new spot light, the Beijing Olympics. Murder Ball is without question an intense sport, but I think it also draws notice to the individuals who devote their time and effort to participate in such an extreme sport. I think much should be said about someone with these types of disability who dedicate themselves to trains him/her self to be threat in such a remarkable nature of competition. We should be extremely proud of these athletes for their incredible talents and pursuit for US Gold. Juan N. 7 of 12
It is nice to see that People with Disabilities are getting the same recognitions as equals in this article. I took a notice that the publisher did not use any words that depict “pity” or admiration”. The focus was on the athletes and the sport. I do wish that there was more history regarding the players and sport. Locally what is available to people with disabilities and sports? The websites that are provides allowed me to view more information regarding sports that are played and the athletes involved.
MM- M.Munoz
Its nice how articles such as this are showing their support and keeping up with the information of how this team and many others are doing in the olympics. Hopefully they will come back with the gold medal and be recognized for all their hard work and dedication to this sport.
Omar O.
People with disabilites once more show us that there is no barrier on achieving what we want. And even if there are situations or in their case disabilities that they can't control, we should always make the best effort to succeed and win.
Diana Bernal
This is great! I think it is amazing to see how people with disabilities are winning gold medals. It would be good to see these shows on tv.
Andrea V.
I believe murderball is an amazing competition. I got to view the movie and the men competing are strong athletes that just want to make a statement. These men are role models towards anyone with disabilities. They are examples that express courage and dedication towards being able to play sports no matter what condition you may be in. They are strong and very outgoing men who put there heart and soul into winning and being a part of the olympic history. Go USA!
Joelia N.
I'm glad that PWD are participating in these games and proving to everyone that they can work just as hard as anyone else. They show that they have courage and lots of strength and this should be something that other people learn from! I'm glad they're out there winning gold medals!
Sabrina D.
I have heard about Murderball but had never seen any full game so I decide to watch some videos and this is an intense sport. I don’t think that I would play unless I had some type of protection like helmet and pads. At the time this article was written the game had not played out yet but for those of you who did not know, the U.S. won 53-44. Great job team USA. Ryley Batt is regarded by many as the best Wheelchair Rugby player in the world. It was interesting to learn that he use to think wheelchairs were for disabled people so he used a skateboard for the first 12 years of his life as his main mode of transportation. After getting into Murderball he now believes that best thing he ever did was to get into a wheelchair because he feels he is a lot better off. This is an interesting game and will continue to watch in the future.
James D
I agree that it is significant that people with disabilities can compete in competitive sports
Davidw reaction blog
Murderball is very interesting and aggressive game. I saw the Murderball movie it was very good and it portrayed how people with disabilities adapt and unite to confront other teams. The training they go through is very demanding. I really admire these individuals because being in a sport is not easy and it requires a lot of dedication.
I agree with Jenny that people with disabilities work harder.
Mariam G.
Wow! I have only seen a few clips of murderball on the news but I have to tip my hat to them. Before I knew what it was, I always thought it was basketball. I had no idea that it was rugby. This sport seems so much more violent that basketball. But hey, that’s rugby. I’m glad to see that it is getting a lot of attention though. It is about time that people take notice. It is a much more interesting sport than Olympic badminton (no offense badminton lovers). I would like to see eventually that the Paralympics and the Olympics merge into one. That way all the Americans could kick butt together. Celena M
I agree with Cassie and Rosa that these would be fun to watch. However, I am not a big sports fanatic, so I am not sure if the Paralympics is not offered on t.v. or just not as advertised as the Olympics. Either way I do think it is a shame, these individuals work just as hard in competition and deserves the same air time as the Olympics. I looked on you tube for clips and I found a whole bunch. Murder ball looks very dangerous, but I can see why people want to watch it. While I was there I also saw a kid do a back flip in a wheel chair. There is some really amazing stuff going on by some really brave individuals.
~Marlene H. (reaction blog)
I think it's great that people with disabilities are given the opportunity to represent a country through their accomplishments in sports. I agree with some of the comments that people with disabilities really try their best to accomplish their goals. Hopefully they will be victorious and get the gold.
Karen L.
I feel Emede R. did write a very good comment. I could agree with her in several areas. I do feel more information should have been provided about this particular sport.
Caleb B.
i have never seen a Paralympics game played before! sounds interesting.. i agree to that they do work harder and are probably stronger mentally, because playing sports has alot to do with a persons mental state. they need to be focused. i would assume that people with disablilities that paly sports dont make excuses for themselves.. which is very good!!
I want to watch an paralympic games. does anybody know if there is a form of volleyball played in this event?
I hope to check it out next year.
Carmen G.
I think its an awesome thing to see people with disabilities portrayed in a positive light rather than helpless or in the mind set that they can not achieve great success and this blog is a perfect example.
Jessica M.
It is nice to see that opportunities on sports for people with disabilities are being more widely recognized in several countries. It is good that people that work hard at obtaining a goal be recognized as commendable athletes. I think that the media should air or promote more of the sport programs for people with disabilities.
Paty C
This is amazing! Its so neat to here of the many accomplishments that PWD are doing. it Just shows how anyone can do anything if you set your mind to it. GO USA!
Alex S
Wow, I did not even know we had a team for murderball! This is a great article because it shows these players as excellent athletes that excel in their sport. They aren't even labled as people with dsabilities. The title is also a great indicator of this because it mentions nothing what so ever about disabilities, instead it says "US & Australia Fight for Murderball Gold!"
Stephanie P
I saw this movie and I think it was awesome, I did not was awre about this game. At first I thought it was a little bit dangerous but I think that they enjoyed. I think that is great for people with disabilities to express themselves thru a game, and not in other things like drugs.
I saw this movie and I think it was awesome, I did not was awre about this game. At first I thought it was a little bit dangerous but I think that they enjoyed. I think that is great for people with disabilities to express themselves thru a game, and not in other things like drugs.
Emma C.
It is nice to see and acknowledge people with disabilities and the world of sports, but one must be careful not to over do it. It is important not to label everyone who is playing sports wth a disabilty as a hero and so forth. Now dont get me wrong, People with disabilitties who partake in sports may very well be overcoming alot of obstacles, but dont you think they recognize that on their own?
Joshua P.
Interesting, I've never heard of Murderball till right now. I think it's great that we are hearing more and more about people with disabilities in the olympics. It shows just how talented they are despite their disability. These athletes are just like any other athlete. They have a goal to achieve and will work as hard as they have to to get the gold they are aiming for. Great article!!
Crystal M.
olympics for people with disabilities is a great way for them to gain confidence. GO USA!!
Estefanita G.
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