AUCKLAND, New Zealand, May 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- An Australian softballer, who lost 80 kilograms on her journey to get to the World Masters Games 2017, has managed to tick off the last remaining item on her bucket list - skydiving in Auckland.
Jude Turton, a mum-of-three from Perth, created a bucket list after a pre-cancerous growth was found during a scan, setting out some new goals to achieve, including: losing weight; finishing her nursing training; coming to Auckland and participating in the Games; and sky diving.
"I weighed in at 147 kgs, have now lost 80 kgs, finished my nursing diploma, come to Auckland to compete in the World Masters Games and now done skydiving," she says.
"It was amazing. It took my breath away. It was a great experience and achievement."
Auckland played host to 28,000 World Masters Games 2017 participants from around New Zealand and across the globe, including almost 7,000 Australians. The Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world, with almost double the number of athletes than the Olympics.
Along with softball, there was competition in another 27 sports, which took place at 46 venues around Auckland and two in the Waikato.
The Games wrapped up on Sunday with the International Masters Games Association declaring the Auckland Games "the best ever".
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Auckland's economic growth agency, secured the bid to host WMG2017 in partnership with the New Zealand Government, beating out 15 other countries to win the Games.
ATEED Chief Executive Brett O'Riley says the Games have been fantastic.
"The World Masters Games' legendary camaraderie has been alive and well throughout the past 10 days and we know those participants have been making the most of their time outside of the competition while they've been here too," he says.
"We can feel confident that Auckland has put on an exceptional show, clearly exceeding all expectations and showing how the region can put on a seamless multi-sport event, across multiple venues -- creating something that will live long in the memories of those who took part."
For further information please contact:
Anika Forsman
Acting Media Manager
P +64 9 365 0523
M +64 220 261130
E anika.forsman@aucklandnz.com
Visit Auckland
@Auckland_NZ
About us: Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) is the economic growth agency for the Auckland region and is one of six Auckland Council-controlled organisations (CCOs). ATEED is tasked with driving innovation and transforming the local economy, so that Auckland is a desirable place to visit, live, work, play, invest and do business.
Video - http://static.prnasia.com/pro/media/mnr/video/20170502ateed.mp4
Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20170502/1840018-1
