17 Sep 2008

NZ finishes Paralympics

5:57 am on 17 September 2008

New Zealand's participation at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics is over with the team finishing with 12 medals.

Power-lifter, George Taamaru of Auckland suffered some dubious judging when he was given 2 no-lifts and in a do-or-die effort for a silver medal, couldn't lift the 235kg's and finished down the field.

Meanwhile the Wheelblacks finished in fifth place after a 28-25 victory over Germany in wheelchair rugby.

Team Chef de Mission, Duane Kale believes there is potential for the future and London 2012, but there is also disappointment at not making their target of 13 medals.

New Zealand won 5 gold medals and broken 3 world records.