Melissa Tapper has entered Australian sporting folk law by becoming the first Australian athlete to qualify for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Tapper, a class 10 Paralympian was born with nerve damage in her right arm, secured her Olympic berth by defeating Grace YEE from Fiji at today’s ITTF-Oceania Olympic Games Qualification Tournament in Bendigo, Australia.
Holding back the tears of joy, the 26-year-old, who has already qualified for the Paralympics in Rio stated: “I was ridiculously nervous before my matches today. I am so excited and stoked with this result, it is come from a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication and a lot of support. I can’t believe I am a part of Australian sporting history. Rio is going to be an experience of a lifetime. I want to do the best I can in the Olympics and win gold in the Paralympics.”
ITTF Media
Posted: 29/3/2016
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