WA Duo Win Bronze in Women’s Wheelchair Basketball

Western Australian athletes Clare Burzynski and Cobi Crispin were part of the Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team that claimed a bronze medal in a 53-47 win over Japan yesterday.

Australia dominated the match leading at every change and depart the Beijing Paralympics on a high following the earlier disappointment of losing a close semi-final against the USA.

Australia Coach Gerry Hewson gave credit to a humble T-shirt for the inspiration to get his charges up and ready after the gut wrenching loss just 24 hours prior.

“It was very challenging,” Hewson said after the bronze medal win.

“I was going across to the training hall and there was a T-shirt that jumped out in front of me and it said `Pain is Temporary; Pride is Permanent’.

“And that’s what we focused on because it stuck in my head and I thought that was what we were after against Japan… the pride in our team and making sure we got a medal.

“I was a player for 12 years and had just one opportunity to get a medal. So I wanted these girls to have a medal too.”

Captain Liesl Tesch quipped that she couldn’t yet call time on her career, with one particular part of the collection still missing.

“It means I can’t retire because I’ve got two silver and a bronze and I need one of that other colour still,” she said.

“So back in the wheelchair this old horse will go.”