Tokyo Olympics: Bronwen Knox, Stingers veteran, chasing medal in last Games

THERE is no secret that this will be the final Olympic Games of Australia’s Bronwen Knox’s water polo career, and the veteran has put everything into this chance to finish her career on the ultimate of highs.

THERE is no secret that this will be the final Olympic Games of Australia’s Bronwen Knox’s water polo career, and the veteran has put everything into this chance to finish her career on the ultimate of highs.

Australian finished in its group with a 3-1 record, one of three teams tied at the mark, and will face the Russian Olympic Committee team in the quarterfinal on Tuesday night.

Knox, who along with the rest of the Stingers squad prepared for the Olympic Games in Cairns, overcame a multitude of hurdles just to make it to Tokyo, but that has only made her appreciate the opportunity more.

“I’m pretty certain this will be my last Olympics, which makes it bittersweet” Knox said.

“It definitely feels different, and not just because of Covid, It’s good and bad – people won’t know what we’ve been working on, and what we have, but we also don’t know much about them.”

It hasn’t fazed them so far, with the Stingers’ only loss in the pool stage coming against Spain. The Stingers play at 8.50pm.

ANDREWS SET FOR 'SURREAL' DEBUT

ABBY Andrews can still vividly recall the disappointment etched on the faces of her Australian Stingers teammates when the Tokyo Games were postponed a year ago.

Andrews and the Stingers team have been training out of Trinity Anglican School for their last camp on Australian soil and will depart for Tokyo on Saturday.

Abby Andrews is ready for her first Olympics. Picture Lachie Millard

They have tapered during their time in Cairns, with one free day to explore the region – albeit under restrictions – and this week turned the focus to the tactics other teams might employ during competition.

The occasion is not lost on the 20-year-old Andrews, who is looking forward to her first Olympic experience.

“I remember when we got the official call (last year) that the Games were cancelled, ­seeing the disappointment on everyone’s face was eye-­opening,” Andrews said.

“But it’s been good to have that extra year, to work on skills and us as a team.

“We’ve been together since the start of the year, and being able to be based out of the Sunshine Coast, which is close to home, was really good.”

Andrews was a reluctant starter in the sport, though the dedicated swimmer adapted to the new sport particularly well – evidenced by her rise from the River City 13Cs to an Australian representative with five international appearances and a soon-to-be Olympian.

Abby Andrews passes the ball during an Australian Water Polo squad training session at Trinity Anglican School on July 14, 2021 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The sport came naturally to Andrews, who had found a way to channel her aggression and passion for sport.

“I was an angry kid,” she said with a laugh. “I find it really funny. “I was really reluctant to start playing but as soon as I did, I was all-in.

“It’s so aggressive and passionate a sport. I was an angry little kid so it was great.”

Now, she’s barely a week away from becoming one of Australia’s newest Olympians.

While it might be daunting, experienced campaigners like captain Bronwen Knox, who will compete at her fourth Olympic Games, wouldn’t let Andrews get overwhelmed.

Knox, who has played just shy of 400 games for Australia, is preparing for what is likely her final Olympics campaign since her first Games at Beijing in 2008.

She emphasised for her less-experienced teammates to focus on the moment.

“I spoke to them about taking the moment to experience it,” Knox said.

“There’s a heap of emotions; you have to embrace the rollercoaster.

“It’s such a long campaign. There’s days between games so you can’t dwell on the low points for too long.

“Knowing there will be those emotions throughout the Games helps to make sure you’re prepared for it.”

Australia was drawn in Group A, alongside Spain, Canada, South Africa and the Netherlands, which returns to Olympic competition for the first time since 2008.

The Stingers start their campaign against Canada on Saturday, July 24, before facing the Netherlands on July 26.

Originally published as Tokyo Olympics: Bronwen Knox, Stingers veteran, chasing medal in last Games