Gabri sets new Games standards
With Dolly Gabri in the field, the other competitors in women’s discus knew they were competing for silver Friday (July 22) afternoon.
Gabri, a Surrey native, set a BC Games record with a mark of 44.36m. That was more than 11m better than runner-up Mateya Haintz of Pitt Meadows at 33.12m.
“We all know there’s no chance of getting first,” Haintz laughed. “It’s been like that for a few years so it’s not surprising and we’ve all come to accept it.”
Gabri also set a new BC Summer Games record in women’s shot put Friday morning, then bettered it on her next throw, easily winning the gold medal.
Back to back throws of 13.44m and 13.93m should have had the Surrey native grinning from ear to ear. But she wasn’t.
As absurd as it sounds given how thoroughly she dominated her BC Games competition, Gabri didn’t feel good about either throw.
“I’m not throwing my best because my best is 15.19m, and I’m really disappointed right now,” she explained. “I felt a little more drive in my hips during the second throw, so it’s getting there.
“And I am happy I broke the record.”
– Eric Welsh
Sailing gold for Smithman
Kwantlen Park Secondary student Josh Smithman,16, was golden at the BC Summer Games this past weekend.
Smithman, a sailing competitor in the Laser Radial men category took home the gold medal in a 10 race head-to-head match-up against Alex Cherniavskii from West Vancouver.
Smithman won the best-of-10 race competition 7-3.
“I thought I sailed very well,” said Smithman. “We have competed against each other before in other competitions and I’m glad I was able to come out on top this time.”
Smithman, who trains at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, now has his sights set on the 2016 Cork International Youth Sailing Championships in Kingston, Ontario in August.
– Evan Seal
