By CASEY NEILL
PETER Christoforou could barely move his fingers when he took up ten-pin bowling at age 11 to improve his motor skills.
He placed the ball between his legs and used both hands to propel it down the lane.
Last month the 32-year-old from Dandenong North brought home three ten-pin bowling medals from the Special Olympics National Games in Melbourne.
A gold medal was among Christoforou’s haul and could earn him selection for the Australian team at next year’s World Summer Games in Los Angeles, USA.
“I got a gold medal in singles, a silver medal in four-man team, and bronze in my doubles,” he said.
“It’s very good, I’m very pleased.”
His dad Conn introduced him to bowling and helped him secure a job at supported workplace Gateway Industries in Dandenong.
“When he started he couldn’t bowl,” he said.
“That was 21 years ago. And now he’s achieved something that I couldn’t.
“Bowling and Gateway saved his life.
“His hands are still stiff in certain things. You might struggle, but you keep on trying.”
Christoforou’s Gateway Industries workmate Mark Hutton won a basketball silver medal.
The 38-year-old from Narre Warren couldn’t have been happier with the way his Special Olympics career wrapped up at his ninth National Games.
“We lost to New South Wales in the final,” he said.
“We beat South Australia three times and New South Wales, we lost three times.
“But I was rapt to get a silver medal.
“I lit the torch as well at the opening ceremony. It was an honour to be proud of.
“It was a great way to finish.”
Hutton first took to the court with the Special Olympics when he was 14 years old.
“It’s been a great career for me,” he said.
“I would have gone off the radar if I didn’t have the Special Olympics. They’ve been awesome.
“I’m hopefully going to be a mentor to the younger athletes that are coming through.
“Being a coach is my dream.”
Another goal is helping other athletes to fund-raise so they can compete on the national and international stage.
“It cost us $2600 for this tournament,” Hutton said.
“Our bosses here have been so supportive. They sponsored both Peter and I.
“Without them we wouldn’t have got anywhere.”
Next year’s World Games in Los Angeles will cost up to $8000 per athlete
“It’s so expensive, and because we work here in supported employment we don’t earn enough,” he said.
“If anyone could help with a sponsor or something it would be unreal.”
