Australia’s new Champion of all Champions
Katrina Wright drew on all her experience representing Australia to claim the Australian Champion of Champion singles title and add another trophy to her ever expanding trophy cabinet.
In contrasting conditions to yesterday’s sectional play, the rain came down, the wind was gusting however Wright maintained a steady hand to deliver consistently all match.
Wright’s opposition South Australia’s Sue Coultas pushed the more experienced player, hanging tough all game.
Wright had high praise for Coultas who had qualified for the final with a huge win over section leader Tasmania and an earlier victory over Queensland.
“Sue has done really well to get into the final, both of us were freezing out there, the wind was playing tricks and I think my experience helped me get over the line today,” Wright said.
Wright never got more than six shots in front all game until the killer blow on what became the last end, Wright scoring a full count of four to win the match 21-12.
Winning Australian titles is nothing new for the former Australian representative who claimed the lucrative Australian Open Singles in 2008 and the Australian Indoor Championship in 2010.
Katrina Wright joins Brett Wilkie in the history books as the only players to win the three biggest singles events in Australia, the Australian Open Singles, The Australian Indoor Singles and the Australian Champion of Champion Singles crowns, and she now has her eyes set on a world title.
Wright will now join Scott Thulborn in the green and gold when they represent Australia at the World Champion of Champion singles at Club Helensvale on the Gold Coast in 2015.
“I had an opportunity quite a few years ago to play in the World Cup but sadly I lost my grandmother two weeks before so my preparation for that event wasn’t the best, I’m thrilled to get another chance to put on the green and gold,” Wright said.
The Taren Point local had all the home town support despite the cold, windy and wet conditions, spectators braved the treacherous weather and broken umbrella’s to watch their club member create history.
“The support from my club here at Taren Point is magnificent and they have been phenomenal the whole way through from state level to this week at the Australian Championships when they sat out here in the pouring rain to help get me over the line, you can’t ask for much more than that,” Wright said.
The first round of pairs is underway at Taren Point, and weather permitting the second round of pairs is scheduled for 3:30pm.
For more information on the Champion of Champions click here.
