[CDU eNews] - OUR SOPHIE WINS GOLD AT ARAFURA GAMES

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

Our Sophie wins gold at Arafura Games

Champion Northern Territory triathlete Sophie Joynes has defied the pain of
three cracked ribs to win gold in the women's 10,000m at the Arafura Games.

Sophie, 24, won the gruelling middle distance event last night (Tuesday) by
more than 50 seconds in a time of 38min 53.30sec.

Sophie, a fully qualified Army fitness instructor and now a fitness and
recreation coordinator with Charles Darwin University Sport, is a member of
the Australian Defence Forces team at the Games - but proud to have
competed, and won, as a Territorian.

"It's so exciting," she said today. "I haven't been able to train properly
for the event and my fitness levels are down. I took off fast and got into
a rhythm pretty quickly. There was some pain, but I wanted that gold. Once
I sniffed gold, the pain disappeared."

Sophie led throughout and lapped all but one of the field. Territorian
Hayley Barber was third in 40m 29.08sec, behind silver medallist Norlida
Ismail of Malaysia (39m 44.45sec).

A champion triathlete, Sophie suffered three cracked ribs in a fall about a
month ago, ruling her out of her pet event.

Despite the pain and lack of preparation, she will still compete in the
21km half marathon on Saturday. "I certainly don't expect to win that one,"
she said, "but it's just so much fun taking part."

Athletes from more than 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region are taking
part in the Arafura Games this week.

Sophie's main focus this year is the 2005 World Triathlon Championships in
Hawaii in October . . . and she says any help with sponsorship would be
most appreciated!

Sophie trains more than 20 hours a week for the gruelling 1.5km swim, 40km
cycle and 10km run event and competes in the Victorian and national
triathlon circuit between November and April, travelling down south every
second week.

Somehow, Sophie also finds time to work as a fitness and recreation
coordinator with Charles Darwin University Sport, conducting personal
training and fitness classes ranging from the challenging Boot Camp to
Disabled. She recently launched a new Spin Class.

Sophie joined CDU last year after four years in the Army where she
conducted physical training lessons and also completed her fitness
Certificates III and IV through the University.

Her aim is to turn her triathlon career into a fulltime professional
activity. Last year she won a silver medal in the 20-24 age group at the
World Triathlon Championships in Portugal.

Sophie Joynes is available for interview


Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

CRICOS Provider No: 00300K