Aussies were shining in silver from Kazakhstan to Poland, Morocco and Argentina to highlight the weekend in sport.
Shooting
Dual Olympian and trap mixed team world champion James Willett has won silver in the men’s trap shotgun event at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan, while Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Catherine Skinner won bronze in the women’s trap event.
James, a Yarrawonga resident Willett in country Victoria, went one better than the World Cup bronze medal he won a few weeks ago in Cairo, Egypt. In Almaty he was the top qualifier shooting 123 out of 125 targets.
“It is the second highest score [I have shot] at a World Cup so I am really pleased with that and managed to keep it up all the way.” James said.
“Bib number 1 [as top qualifier] got me through [a few eliminations in the final] so I am pleased to come away with a silver medal after a big few months.”
Going into the last ten targets of the final to determine the gold and silver medals, James was three targets behind Italy’s Massimo Fabbrizi. With the two internationally experienced and successful competitors each hitting nine out of the 10 targets, Fabbrizi retained his lead to take the gold medal with a finals score of 46 out of 50 targets, and James the silver medal with 43 out of 50.
James' result has propelled his world ranking up to no.2.
"It’s the first time I have been inside the top three in the world since 2019, where I managed to make it to number one.
"It is a rewarding feeling to be back up there with some of the great men's trap shooters who I look up to in the sport. Thank you to everyone who has supported my shooting campaign so far this year.”
Catherine, who missed a finals berth in Cairo by four targets, started strong by hitting 120 out of 125 targets to be the equal top qualifier with Italy’s Silvana Stanco.
In the final she shot 28 out of 40 targets, three targets behind the silver medallist and Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Fatima Galvez of Spain and six target behind the gold medallist Mar Molne Magrina (ESP).
These Aussie medal wins in Almaty bring the Australian Shotgun Team’s 2023 tally of World Cup medals up to five.
Canoe - Sprint
Australia’s men’s K4 500 quartet have bounced back to claim a silver medal in the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup in Poznan, Poland.
After missing out on qualifying for the A-Final in World Cup one in Hungary a couple of weeks ago, Riley Fitzsimmons (NSW), Pierre van der Westhuyzen (QLD), Jackson Collins (QLD) and Noah Havard (QLD) brought a new hunger with them into Poland which turned into medal success.
They won their heat and semi-final, then in a highly competitive final the Ukraine team secured the gold as they were 0.74 seconds faster than the Aussies.
Riley, a dual Olympian, said this was a stand-out moment for the men’s K4 team on their journey to qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics later this year.
“It was a really positive race after having a pretty disappointing first World Cup where we didn't nail the things we wanted to,” he said.
“So we've been put through the wringer and come out at the second Word Cup and produced a pretty good, complete K4 event, so we're all pretty chuffed at the moment.
“It's Australia's first medal in this event since it was first introduced, so it's a positive step in the right direction for [Paris 2024 Olympic] qualification this year.”
In other final results on day two, Olympic champion Tom Green narrowly missed out on a medal in the men's K1 1000m event, placing fourth.
Skateboard – Park
There’s more silver on the world stage for Australia from the weekend, this time for Ruby Trew at the opening event of the 2023 world skateboarding tour in San Juan, Argentina.
Ruby, who finished 10th at the world championships earlier this year in the UAE, scored 86.16 to win silver and with it earning valuable ranking points for Paris 2024 Olympic qualification.
She said she was excited to stand on the dais amongst the world’s best female park skaters.
“I’m excited to have put down a strong third run to get me the silver here in Argentina,” Ruby said. “It was a tough few days as the competition in women’s park is so strong so you really have to be on your game.
“There’s a lot on the line with Olympic qualifying points so I’m happy that I am one step closer to making the team for Paris next year.”
Ruby thanked her family for their support, admitting she has a bit of homework to catch up on.
“My family and I have put in a lot of work to get to this point and I am grateful for the support, not only here from my dad, but also back home from mum and my sisters.
“I am really looking forward to coming back home to Australia, doing a little bit of homework and preparing for the next event."
Photo credit: World Skate
She held off the bronze medallist Raicca Oliveira (BRA) who finished on 85.17 and the event was won by Great Britain’s Sky Brown with a score of 90.84.
Fellow Aussie Arisa Trew (no relation), who finished 20th at the world champs this year, also made the top-eight final in Argentina and finished seventh on 82.23 points.
In the men’s park competition Keegan Palmer, who became an X Games champion two weeks ago, won bronze despite completing one run while injured and subsequently retiring hurt. His score of 84.13 nearly claimed the silver medal, as only Luigi Cini’s (BRA) 85.74 and Tom Schaar’s (USA) 84.51 were better in the finals.
“Stoked to have put down a strong run to get me the bronze here in Argentina,” Keegan said. “My knee copped it before the final so I just tried to lay down what I could and that first run was enough to get me the bronze.
"The competition is getting stronger as the year goes on and it was nice to be on the podium with Luigi and Tom.
"We still have a long way until Paris next year but nice to see some results the last few weeks and I’m enjoying myself which is key."
Athletics
Australia’s first Diamond League podium placings of the year happened over the weekend, with track stars Catriona Bisset and Olli Hoare winning medals in Rabat, Morocco.
Catriona achieved her best-ever result at the Diamond League, finishing second in the women's 800m final in a time of 2:00.11.
After a fast opening lap set by Mary Moraa (KEN) Catriona didn't fade despite Sage Hurta-Klecker (USA) vying for silver, as the American clocked 2:00.62.
In the men's 1500m Olli Hoare won the bronze medal in a time of 3:33.39. Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigsten (NOR) continues to set the standard in the 1500m, with his time of 3:32.59 winning gold and Yared Nuguse (USA) claimed silver in 3:33.02.
Tennis
Thanasis Kokkinakis is off to a strong start at the second Grand Slam tournament of the year at Roland Garros, causing an upset of Great Britain's no.20 seed Dan Evans.
In what is the highest ranked opponent Thanasi has ever beaten at a Grand Slam, coming on the clay at the French Open, he got it done in straight sets (6-4 6-4 6-4).
Next up for Thanasi will be either Stan Wawrinka (SUI) or Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP).
Also in the men's singles in Paris, Jason Kubler used five sets to navigate his way into the second round in beating Facundo Diaz Acosta 1-6 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-1.
He'll face either no.10 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) or Fabio Fognini (ITA) in round two.
Football
Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter both celebrated title wins in Europe over the weekend with Chelsea FC and Olympique Lyon respectively.
Sam and Chelsea won their fourth-straight women’s super league season by putting three goals past Reading, of which Sam scored two, and keeping a clean sheet.
She scored the first of the match in the 18th minute and closed out the victory with another in the 88th minute.
Ellie, in France, celebrated Lyon’s 7-1 win over Reims for the club to win their record-setting 16th title.