Highlights of the day: Jaroslaw Olech’s Golden Moment

Highlights of the day: Jaroslaw Olech’s Golden Moment

Even the strongest men don’t feel ashamed to show their tears. No doubt, Jaroslaw Olech is one of the strongest men in the world. He proved both these facts on Wednesday: the Powerlifter from Poland won the Men’s Middleweight competition at the National Forum of Music of Wroclaw.  It was his third gold medal at the World Games in a row. Listening to the national anthem he was overwhelmed by his emotions. Bear this in mind: he is a 15 times World Champion. But gold at home at The World Games counts more to him. Eyerone could see but Jaroslaw Olechdid not care. Watching him mastering a total of 650kg and being consumed by emotion – two moments of TWG 2017 to be remembered.

There were some more highlights this Tuesday that can be added to a treasure chest containing best memories. The reigning champions Germany won gold in the Fistball final after a thrilling match against Switzerland. It took all seven sets to decide the match. The Swiss squad won the first two sets. After losing the third set and winning the next one, the door was open to beat the Germans. But the title holder came back and claimed in the seventh set (11:9) and the sixth title since Fistball was performed at TWG for the first time in London 1985. Praise is due to the Swiss as well for an outstanding match.

In Archery, Amedeo Tonelli, ranked second after qualifying, had his special moment near the fountain at Centennial Hall. In the Men’s Recurve, the Italian Archer scored 61 in the final. Top seed Ellison Brady from the USA, two times medalist at the Olympics, scored just 58. “This is my first World Games title, my first big individual competition,” said Tonelli. Brady, the current World Champion, is called ‘The Prospector’ for his ability to find gold. But this time Amedeo Tonelli blocked the sight. As in Cali 2013, the “Prospector” found silver. Not too bad anyway.

When it comes to digging for gold, Fabriana Arias from Colombia seems to be an expert. Coming first in the Speed Skating Road Women's Point Race 10,000m brought her a third gold medal at TWG. Adding this to her two silver medals means that she is the top multi-medalist of the Games. The Germans weren’t too bad either when it came to finding gold. In addition to Fistball, Mareike Thum came first in the Speed Skating Women’s 500m Sprint. Archer Lisa Unruh also scored Gold in Women’s Recurve Competition.

Not sure whether it was a moment to remember, but nevertheless remarkable. You could see two different kinds of people with maps in the market square. There were tourists strolling around on their way to the top sights of the city. And then there were The World Games athletes running through the city center aiming for the controls. Orienteering started its competition days with the men’s and the women’s sprint race. Maja Alm from Denmark, the current World Champion, won the first gold for her home country. Jerker Lysell, former sprint World Champion, did the same for Sweden one hour later.

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