Australians knocked out in Sydney

“The game plan went exactly the way we talked about before but the first two hits I missed two particular balls that I’m a bit disappointed about. It would have made him work just that little bit harder and things could’ve been more interesting.”

Australia’s charge to the boccia finals has come to an end after all three quarter finalists were knocked out of contention on day three of the Asia and Oceania Boccia Championships.

International debutants Daniel Michel, Jason Liukuey and Jean-Paul La Fontaine faced experienced opposition in the quarter final knockout rounds, but were unable to overcome their opponents, who are among the best in the world.

Brisbane’s Jean-Paul La Fontaine was the first Australian down, losing 7-0 to the number three player in the world, China’s Yuansen Zheng.

The 41-year-old, who was born with muscular dystrophy, says he felt calm during the BC4 game thanks to consistent match simulation training but it was two stray balls that were his ultimate undoing.

“I thought I threw pretty well for where I’m at with my experience but gee there were just one or two balls that just didn’t go my way,” said La Fontaine.

“The game plan went exactly the way we talked about before but the first two hits I missed two particular balls that I’m a bit disappointed about. It would have made him work just that little bit harder and things could’ve been more interesting.”

Rising BC2 star Jason Liukuey was paired against world number six Hiu Lam Yeung of Hong Kong. Although beating her earlier on in the pool matches, Liukuey says he knew she had more up her sleeve to win 7-0.

“It was a tough game, and a tough opponent. I knew she was going to bring a lot more in that game than she did in the pools game because you could tell she had a lot more she didn’t use, but overall I’m happy with the experience,” said the 30-year-old.

“I’m happy with my achievement so far and there is plenty of tournament to go with the teams events now. Anyone is a danger team here, so we’re just going to take one game at a time and throw one ball at a time.”

BC3 teenager Daniel Michel was the final Australian standing in the individual tournament and although holding his Thai opponent Tanimpat Visaratanunta to a 3-3 draw at the third end, missed out on a win by a matter of millimetres with the score at 4-3 at the close.

Michel, who is currently sitting his final school exams, won all three of this pool games to finish at the top of his group, but will now turn his focus to the pairs event, where he will join Tait Jenkins and Angie McReynolds to contest a medal.

Australian Head Coach Peter King says it is important to keep the Australian team’s performances in perspective given many are making their international debut, and is confident the team can make their mark in the teams and pairs events.

“The focus now swings to teams and pairs and we’ve spent a lot of time training for these three medal events. We feel confident we can take some form into those and make a real good showing,” said King.

Individual finals continue tomorrow morning before teams and pairs competition gets underway in the afternoon.