ATHLETES from Armidale and Guyra were last week recognised for their achievements at the Asia Pacific Special Olympics in Newcastle.
Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka met with Max Wayte, Will Brunsden and Sara Brazier at Adam Marshall’s office in Armidale on Wednesday.
The athletes told the MP about their experience competing against athletes from overseas, which included a big contigency from India.
Wayte was captain of the 11-a-side football team, which finished fifth at the Special Olympics.
He has been part of the Australian team for several years and has played in Greece, Bahrain, India and Thailand.
“All the games were pretty tough, but we were the only team to score against Bangladesh, which won the gold medal,” he said.
Brunsden, a former top swimmer, took home two medals for his achievements in ten pin bowling.
He finished fifth in the singles, second in the pairs and third in the team event.
Brunsden represented Australia in swimming from 2006 to 2008 and competed in Ireland, Taiwan and Portugal.
He has broken more than 30 world records with Down Syndrome Australia.
Brazier, from Guyra, finished fourth in the 200m individual medley, fifth in the 100m breastroke and won silver in the 4x50m medley relay, with her backstroke leg helping her team finish on the podium.
