Congratulations to our Athletes of the Day for Sunday, 17 July, at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. On the last day of competition of the eleventh edition of the Games Rebecca Tarlazzi (ITA) and Nick Cummins (GBR) were celebrated on stage at the Closing Ceremony of The World Games in Protective Stadium. IWGA President José Perurena awarded the athletes with a certificate and a gift, presented by Protective Life.
Winning her Olympic Games: Rebecca Tarlazzi
Via Instagram, Rebecca Tarlazzi greeted her mother: "Today I made my dream come true and won my Olympic Games." The 23-year-old Italian won her competition in Roller Skating Artistic Freestyle Women at the Crossplex Venue. After the short program she had led the field of competitors with a clear margin. Then in the long program, she had extended her lead even further. Despite the clear victory margin, the figure skater was overwhelmed by her moment on the podium. Yet she is used to success: she has won the Italian championship and world championship every year from 2014 to 2018. At The World Games, it was her second gold. In 2017 in Wroclaw she had won the pairs competition.
Scoring Britain to Gold: Nick Cummins
The Wheelchair Rugby Player Nick Cummins amassed 111 points in the six games played by the Great Britain team en route to The World Games Golds. No other player in the tournament held at the Crossplex Arena was as successful. In the 35-23 win over Japan alone, Nick Cummins scored 19 points. Nick Cummins knows the feeling of winning gold. At the Paralympics, the 37-year-old also made a vital contribution to the maiden British success. At the Paralympics, athletes with a high point classification are also allowed in the competition. At The World Games, it is restricted to just low pointers. The difference describes the degree of restriction. He discovered Wheelchair Rugby on the television. Nick Cummins watched the competitions in this sport at the 2008 Games in Beijing. He said to himself, "I can do that." And yes, he can.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association, organised with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games is held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from 34 sports and over 100 countries take part in The World Games.
