Australian softball is back on the big stage after the Aussie Spirit won the WBSC Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier in Shanghai to book a spot at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Australia defeated China 9-3 in the final, completing an undefeated tournament and ensuring they will take part in the first Olympic softball event since Beijing 2008.
The final pitted the only two undefeated sides against one another, with a winner takes all outcome guaranteed for the victors.
China hit the scoreboard first, but by the time WA’s Leigh Godfrey helped the Aussie Spirit to a triple, they had wrest back control and they did not let that opportunity slip, running out winners by a margin of six runs.
Godfery was joined in the Spirit squad by fellow West Australian Leah Parry, with both athletes now aiming to make the team that competes at next year’s Tokyo Games, where Australia will be one of only six nations in the hunt for medals.
Japan earned automatic qualification as Olympic Games hosts, and they will join the Aussie Spirit along with; the USA, Italy, Canada and Mexico.
At the four Olympic softball campaigns to have been held to date, Australia has been successful in medalling at each.
This included bronze medals in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008, whilst the Spirit earned Olympic silver in Athens 2004.
