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Special Olympics Golfers Show Off More than Just Great Golf

Maeve Long, Special Olympics Ireland (left) and Lau Yik Lun, Special Olympics Hong Kong

Two athletes from Special Olympics Ireland and Special Olympics Hong Kong were seen comparing skills at Tianma Country Club Golf Course on Thursday, 4 October, as practice runs for four of the six basic golf skills took place. However, it was not just the golfing abilities of these Level 1 athletes that held the attention of the onlookers at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.

Lau Yik Lun, a golfer for Special Olympics Hong Kong, impressed the audience with his Tai Chi performance. When questioned later, it was revealed that he is also a good dancer. The crowd responded with cheers and encouragement, even more so due to Maeve Long’s performance alongside Lau Yik Lun.

Maeve Long, a 31-year-old golfer for Special Olympics Ireland, also partaking in practice runs of Level 1 skills, carried out a series of kick-boxing moves. Long traveled to Shanghai from Mallow, County Cork, to take part in the 2007 World Games. The joint effort from the two golfers was rewarded with applause and cheers, and Maeve concluded by saying, “Am I cool, or what?”

After the demonstration, Maeve explained that she learnt kick boxing through a course at home and she currently holds a white belt in the sport. She describes kick boxing as a “piece of cake!” The demonstration was followed by plenty of badge swapping, as is traditional at most Special Olympics events. Alongside this came lots of encouragement and best wishes bestowed upon both athletes.

By Annemarie Breen

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