SHE'S just won a Special Olympics gold medal, and soon Jess Duncan will shoot for more gold when she represents Australia at the 4th Global Games in Ecuador.
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The Illawarra basketballer excelled to help the Australian women's basketball team win gold at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
Running from July 25 to August 2, some 7000 athletes from 177 countries took part in the multi-sport event for athletes with an intellectual disability.
Duncan was part of the 76 Australian athletes who combined to win 23 gold, 19 silver and 18 bronze medals. Now the 27-year-old is preparing to replicate this success when she joins her national teammates at the Global Games in Quito on September 20.
But Duncan is also taking the time to celebrate her achievements in LA.
She told the Lake Times wearing the green and gold of Australia was her biggest honour.
"It was great to represent Australia and play against other countries at the Special Olympics World Games," Duncan said.
"We played Russia in the grand final and defeated them 56-13. We also beat Greece and Ireland.
"I averaged about 12 points a game."
Duncan said playing on the Gallen Centre show court at the University of Southern California was a highlight.
"Another highlight was the opening ceremony. Seeing Stevie Wonder and Avril Lavigne was fantastic.
"Michelle Obama also gave an opening address in person. It was great."
Robyn Duncan said her daughter Jess deserved all the success that came her way.
"Jess puts in the hard work, she trains really hard," Robyn said.
"She has a coach who trains her two days a week.
"She plays mainstream comp at the Snakepit on Wednesday and Thursday nights and we travel to Sutherland on Friday nights to do Special Olympics training."
Jess was introduced to basketball at the age of 12 and instantly picked up the game.
"Before we knew it, she was a natural," Robyn said.
"She has got a taste of representing Australia and is now looking forward to doing it again in Ecuador.
"The game has given her so much. She was diagnosed with global intellectual disability when she was two years old ... now through sport she is conquering the world."
About 1000 athletes and more than 500 participants including professionals and volunteers from 70 nations will take part in the the Global Games in Ecuador. Australia's team of 55 athletes will compete in athletics, basketball, swimming and tennis.
