Judoka captures Team Nova Scotia's first medal
A judoka from Halifax fought to claim Nova Scotia's first medal at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon.
Matthew Vaughan won three matches Tuesday, Feb. 27, before losing the title match to Sergio Pessoa of Quebec to capture a silver medal in the 60 kg category.
"I'm proud of my performance -- I lost a good fight to a great opponent," said Mr. Vaughan. "It's always nice to put in a good performance for your province, and I hope it's only the start for Team Nova Scotia."
In other judo action, Colby MacNeil of Port Hawkesbury finished fifth in the 73 kg category, while Chrystal Penney of Port Hawkesbury also placed fifth, in the 52 kg class.
The judo team has a chance at more medals today and tomorrow.
All of Team Nova Scotia's archers have qualified for quarterfinal competition. In the women's compound event, Nicole Theriault ranks sixth and Rhiannon Wyatt 13th. Nicole set a new national record for her age category. The 14-year-old is competing with archers five to seven years her senior.
In the men's compound event, Jeff Ryan ranks second, while Shane Rafuse stands 14th. Blair Kane and Michel Maillet both qualified for men's recurve quarterfinals.
Team Nova Scotia's shooters narrowly missed medals in team air pistol competitions with Joey Selig and Richard Macaulay placing fourth, and Sarah Ackermann and Tiffany Blaauwendraat fifth. Shooters will compete in air rifle competition today.
The men's hockey team is 1-3 and plays Manitoba today. The women's curling team is 2-2, defeating Nunavut and Yukon, and losing to B.C. and Saskatchewan.
For more results and upcoming events, visit the team's website at ns.canadagames.ca .
Team Nova Scotia 2007 has 290 members -- 213 athletes, 36 coaches, 23 managers, three artists and 15 mission staff.
The Canada Games is the country's largest amateur multi-sport event. More than 3,600 athletes, coaches and managers are gathering in Whitehorse to compete for 1,122 medals in 22 sports from Feb. 23 to March 10.