Best in boccia named Ones to Watch

Take a look at four of the world’s top boccia players as they compete at their regional tournaments this season. 31 Jul 2013

Thailand's Pattaya Tadtong won gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympics in theindividual BC1 event and the team BC1-2 event.

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By Daniel Hopkins | For the IPC

All four of the athletes won medals at London 2012, and will be looking to produce more impressive performances over the next four years in the lead-up to Rio 2016.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), together with the Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed), have picked out four of the world’s top boccia competitors to watch out for as they compete at their respective regional tournaments, as well as on the road to Rio 2016.

With the 2013 European Championships having already taken place, athletes from the rest of the world will be looking to use the upcoming 2013 Americas Championship in Kansas, USA and the 2013 Asia and Oceania Cup in Sydney, Australia to qualify for the 2014 World Championships.

All four of the athletes won medals at London 2012, and will be looking to produce more impressive performances over the next four years in the lead-up to Rio 2016.

The most notable name on the list is Brazil’s Dirceu Jose Pinto.

Pinto, age 32, retained both of his individual and pair BC4 titles at London 2012, and the Mogi das Cruzes native will be looking to add to his medal collection at the upcoming 2013 Americas Cup.

Korea’s Ye Jin Choi marked her Paralympic debut at London 2012 with a gold in the individual BC3 event, and at age 21, she looks set to heavily feature on the medal podium over the next four years and will be looking to impress at the 2013 Asia and Oceania Cup.

Another athlete who will be looking to win medals in Syndey, will be Thailand’s Pattaya Tadtong, who dominated the individual BC1 class at London 2012, eventually winning gold. He was also instrumental in Thailand winning gold in the team BC1-2 event.

The 2013 European Championships in Guimareas, Portugal, witnessed the veteran Jose Macedo claim double gold in the BC3 class in his homeland, showing that even at age 41, he is still a force to be reckoned with.

These athletes will be looking to showcase their talents at the upcoming regional tournaments, and also at the 2014 World Championships and the 2015 World Cup.

The 2013 Americas Cup will take place from 2-9 August, and the Asia and Oceania Cup is set to take place from 18-26 October.