300 not out
– that’s not CriCkEt!…
…No, it’s hockey Nikki Hudson style. The
Australian co-captain is expected to be the
first Hockeyroo to reach 300-Test and 100-
goal milestones when she heads to Beijing
in August. And if you’re REALLY into lucky
numbers Hudson also turns 32 – the number
she wears on her back.
“It is a big thrill, very exciting,” she said
upon hearing the news of her selection in the
team. “You never get over the fact of being
picked for the Olympics.” Not that there was
ever any doubt that she would be chosen after
her performances at the recent Champion’s
Trophy tournament.
This will be Hudson’s third consecutive
Olympics. She won gold in Sydney (2000) and
fifth in Athens (2004). It was a disappointing
result and one she and her team will be
looking to improve upon. Unfortunately the
Hockeyroos performance at the Champion’s
Trophy wasn’t encouraging (they only
finished fifth). The reason? Hudson believes
the team were stressed because it was the
final opportunity to impress the Australian
selectors for a place in the Olympic team. “I
think we were under a lot of pressure,” she women. Of course not! Hudson has no plans
said. “It was the last selection tournament of retirement after these Olympics and is
and a few people were really feeling it. Now it determined to compete at an international
is just a big relief that it is off our shoulders, level through to the London Games in 2012.
but we have a long way to go. We have a good “London is still well in my sights. In the last
chance in Beijing. I am confident of a medal couple of months I have done some soul-
and hopefully that will be gold.” searching after some minor injuries and I still
INTERVIEW
So will she be hanging up her kit after think I am up for it. I love my life as an elite
the Olympics? Does she feel her age in a athlete and I don’t want to live the real life
sport increasing dominated by younger just yet,” she said.
in brief... indian WomEn: Striker Surinder Kaur will
blaCk stiCks: The Black Sticks signed lead an 18-member Indian women’s team in
off their European tour with an emphatic four-nation tournaments in the Netherlands
victory over Belgium in Nijmegen Holland and Germany in June/early July.
on 23rd June. Winning by a margin of 4 – 2, zambia: The IOC is building an Olympic
the score line flattered Belgium as they Youth Development centre in Zambia with
scored from their only two penalties corners the FIH ensuring high quality hockey pitches
of the match. will be constructed in the African country.
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