Special Olympics Games: Shanghai: September & October 2007 Chris Summerhayes: Judo Player

Sue Summerhayes, the mother of Bristol ‘Special Needs’ judo player who trains at the Kodachi Kwai ‘Special Needs’ judo club wrote an article on her son, Chris when he competed at the ‘Special Olympics Games in Shanghai, China in September 2007.

Sue and Andy Summerhayes, the proud parents of Chris were excited and proud of Chris and his achievements in Shanghai. This trip was an extraordinary experience highlighted by Chris winning a silver medal. In fact the GB judo team had a 100% medal tally (2 Gold, 5 Silver and a Bronze). The Gold medal in Chris’s division was won by a Chinese judoka nicknamed the “Apartment Block”.

The organisation was amazing with each athlete having a minder as well as an interpreter. The opening and closing ceremonies were truly spectacular. Among others there was Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan at the opening ceremony and Jose Carreras at the closing ceremony. If you go to www.specialolympicslive.org you can see some short videos of the ceremonies. In addition you can see highlights of Chris’s fights by clicking here. (Click on the thumbnails to start them.)

We were able to organise some sight seeing for Chris on his 20th birthday and we had to buy an extra suitcase for some additional shopping because items were so much more cheaply compared in the United Kingdom and with all the Special Olympics souvenirs and merchandising.

Sue Summerhayes