Watch this report on the SignPost website
(courtesy of ITV SignPost – www.signpostbsl.com)
Tennis
Team GB are through to the final of the Mixed Doubles Event after a superb performance from Anthony Sinclair andCatherine Graham
The duo guaranteed themselves at least a silver medal when they beat Japan’s Tetsuya Matsushita and Yachiyo Abe 6-1, 6-1.
The British second seeds will play Italian top seeds Gianpaolo Damiani and Barbara Oddone in the final.
The Italians are unbeaten in the mixed doubles at any Deaflympics since 1989.
“We’re thrilled to be in the final”, Sinclair commented afterwards.
“Catherine and I are going to try our hardest to break that (the Italians’) hold on the trophy”.
Saturday’s final will take place in front of the TV cameras on Centre Court, where Lewis Fletcher and Darren O’Donnell exited at the semi-final stage today in the Men’s Doubles.
Football
Team GB Men put the disappointment of not making the medal stages behind them by thumping South Africa 5-0 in the 9-16th play-off.
In slightly cooler conditions than in previous games, GB took the lead via Nick Gregory.
Matthew Byfield, and shortly afterwards, Daniel Hogan with a great shot put GB in control of the game at 3-0.
Oliver Monksfield returned from suspension to get in on the act, adding the fourth before Steven Gardiner put the seal on things with a header.
“Four out of my nine goals for GB have been headers”, Gardiner remarked modestly afterwards. “So I suppose I’m quite good at them!”
Badminton
Taipei schools have each been allocated a nation at the Deaflympics to support and Team GB are being backed by the kids from Dun Hua Junior High School.
Our friends with their flags were out in force today at the badminton venue this afternoon, cheering on Team GB in their Men’s singles matches.
Carl Sadler won his game when his opponent retired but his exit from the competion overall allows him to focus on the doubles, where he will partner Rajeev Bagga.
“I rather enjoyed it”, said a surprised Sadler of the attention he got today.
“They were even taking photographs of me as I was leaving the court, but it was great”.
Xander Hurley is through to the last 32, as is Dominic Caswell, who has an all-British tie against Bagga tomorrow.
Kirstie Allen and Caroline Bird were in Ladies Singles action this morning but both players lost their matches.
Looking ahead
Team GB Women take on defending champions USA in the Football semi-final which is a morning (9.30am) kick-off, local time. A good crowd is sure to cheer on the girls.
A big day for GB on the Badminton court as the doubles competitions get under way, not to mention the all-British clash between Bagga and Caswell.
Athletics: Jo Davison, Bethan Lishman and Beth Shaw all compete in the Women’s Hammer final (10.45am BST) and it’s the switch to the 200m for sprinters John Ruddy and Nelson Bolumbu.
After their rest day, Swimming resume competition. Table Tennis start in the Doubles event with evening matches.
For details of GB action at the Deaflympics, check out our schedule.
