BT Paralympic World Cup 2012
Day One
Glorious sunshine, streaming in through the gap in my curtains woke me this morning. Brilliant, I thought! A day of athletics at the BT Paralympic World Cup, and a big portion of my annual vitamin D was on the cards. The drive into Manchester with windows down and Prodigy’s “Out of space” playing on XFM was all too good. Something had to go wrong somewhere, didn’t it?
Upon arriving at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sport City, I suddenly realised that I’d be spending the day shooting into the sun. Focussing on harsh shadows moving towards me rather quickly, debating whether to expose for the highlights or the faces, and squinting until it hurt for the entire day. The sun at this time of year is indeed, more or less directly overhead alas not quite as much as I needed. Still, I thrive on challenge.
Personal records tumbled throughout the day, and British runner Graeme Ballard set a new world record of 25.12 seconds in the T36 Men’s 200m event. A tremendous achievement for a cerebral palsy athlete. The penultimate event of the day saw South African, Oscar Pistorius, leave his competition in the heat haze and romped home to victory unchallenged in the T42/43/44 Men’s 200m.
British runner Graeme Ballard rejoices in victory and a new world record as fellow Brit Benjamin Rushgrove looks dejected following the T36 Men's 200m at Sport City
South African Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius crosses the finish line without another competitor in sight as he competes in the T42/43/44 Men's 200m at Sport City, Manchester
A female competitor holds up a BT Paralympic World Cup medal at Sport City, Manchester
Day Two
Ireland's Peter Cotter scores his sides second goal past USA goalkeeper Keith Johnson at Sport City, Manchester
Ireland's Gary Messett takes the ball around USA goalkeeper Keith Johnson at Sport City, Manchester
Ireland's Simon L'Strange and USA's Bryce Boarman in action at Sport City, Manchester
Japan's Kazuyuki Kyoya shoots at Sport City, Manchester
USA's Trey Jenifer beats Japan's Tomomi Masubuchi to the ball at Sport City, Manchester
Brazil's Wanderson Oliveira and Britain's Ibrahima Diallo in action at Sport City, Manchester
Brazil's Jan Costa and Britain's Matt Dimbylow in action at Sport City, Manchester
Head coach Lyndon Lynch reflects on defeat at Sport City, Manchester
USA's Mary Alison Milford vocally attempts to distract Britain's Laurie Williams before she shoots at Sport City, Manchester
Britain's Amy Conroy in action at Sport City, Manchester
Britain's Laurie Williams and USA's Sarah Castle in action at Sport City, Manchester
Britain's Ademola Orogenemi breaks free to score at Sport City, Manchester
Germany's Sebastian Wolk attempts to block Britain's Ademola Orogenemi at Sport City, Manchester
Germany's Matthias Heimback attempts to block Britain's Jonathan Pollock at Sport City, Manchester
Day Four
USA's Chad Jones chases Brazil's Jan Costa at Sport City, Manchester
Britain's Matt Dimbylow scores at Sport City, Manchester
Britain's Ibrahima Diallo and Ireland's Luke Evans at Sport City, Manchester
Britain's Ibrahima Diallo is congratulated on his goal by team mates at Sport City, Manchester
A general view at Sport City, Manchester
UK Youth Athletics League Finals
I spent the weekend at Manchester’s Sport City athletics track, with Action Replay Photography to cover the UK Youth Athletics League Finals. Teams from throughout the UK were involved over the two days, with many future hopeful medal winning athletes participating.
Photographs may be purchased directly from Action Replay Photography
BT Paralympic World Cup – Day Four
The highlight of interest in the schedule on day four, was of course the goalball exhibition match between GBR and Sweden. I’d never even heard of the sport, before doing this event, let alone shot it. So a learning experience for myself was on the cards. What an experience it was! The sport is very difficult to get meaningful photographs from, as the distance between the two teams is great, and the visual action not all that exhilarating. Credit where it is due though, the athletes (whom are blind and blindfolded) have fantastic hearing and co-ordination skills.
BT Paralympic World Cup – Day Three
Today, was purely basketball. I thought there was a goalball exhibition match on.. but was getting ahead of myself, as it is tomorrow.. so keep an eye out for that one! Four games shot today, which covers every team in the tournament, both men’s and women’s. I have a growing admiration for the talents of these athletes!
BT Paralympic World Cup – Day Two
Day two of the BT Paralympic World Cup saw the start of the football competition. The first game up was Team GB v USA. The game is slightly modified to be 7 a-side, and a little shorter at 30 minutes per half. The athletes entered suffer with cerebral palsy.
BT Paralympic World Cup – Day One
Today marked the beginning of an important weeks sporting events in the paralympic calendar. To start off the BT Paralympic World Cup, was the athletics, taking place at the Sport City athletics track in Manchester. Many famous names were lined up to take part, in particular, one Oscar Pistorius (South Africa). He is of course, known for his controversial legs, which have proved a head scratcher for scientists and sporting bodies alike.
