Australian newcomers take on Asian boccia greats

“I’m feeling pretty content with how things are going at the moment.”

Jason Liukuey has continued his winning streak as he makes his international debut at the 2013 Asia Oceania Boccia Championships in Sydney, Australia. On Tuesday (22 October), he secured his third win from three matches all but securing his passage to the quarter finals in the BC2 class.

Luikuey’s three-match winning streak in pool C is matched only by Thailand’s Watcharaphon Vongsa (ranked No. 8) in pool E, China’s World No. 1 and dual London Paralympic silver medallist Zhiqiang Yan and Thailand’s Mongkol Jitsa-Ngiem (world No. 27) in pool A

Luikuey was among seven Australians who posted a victory on day two of the championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, and is one of five Australians still in finals contention.

Luikey and his countrymen Daniel Michel, Tait Jenkins, Jean-Paul La Fontaine and Gavin Thorneycroft are all poised to progress if they can finish strongly.

But with Thorneycroft the only member of the quintet with international experience gained before these championships, Australian Boccia Head Coach Peter King said it will be intriguing to see how his emerging stars handle the occasion.

“We have all worked very hard on the team’s processes, and worked hard on how we prepared each individual athlete. We have put a lot of resources into simulating this tournament exactly, and that seems to be paying off,” King said.

“The benefit of our preparation is actually most evident when you look at what is not happening here. Everybody in our team is cool and calm and doing the right things at the right time. That is a very good sign.

“I’m feeling pretty content with how things are going at the moment.”

For full results visit the 2013 Asia Oceania Boccia Championships homepage.