Boccia 2018 Ones to Watch announced

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced the Ones to Watch ahead of the 2018 World Boccia Championships set to take place from 12-18 August in Liverpool, Great Britain.

These are the players who have the potential to make headlines at the sport’s biggest competition outside the Paralympic Games. They include Paralympic and world champions, and their full biographies are available on the IPC website.

David Smith (GBR)

Three-time Paralympian captured his first Games individual title at Rio 2016 and has since locked the world No. 1 spot in the BC1 category.

Greg Polychronidis (GRE)

A consistent BC3 medal contender out to make up for an unfortunate mishap at the last World Championships in Beijing, China.

Hidetaka Sugimura (JPN)

Captained the Japanese BC1-2 team to Paralympic silver in 2016 and expected to bring more boccia glory for the 2020 Paralympics host.

Maciel Santos (BRA)

After disappointment at his home Games, the world No. 2 ranked BC2 player has enjoyed success the last seasons to keep up with strong competition from Thailand.

Samuel Andrejcik (SVK)

Young talent who impressed in his Paralympic debut in Rio, winning BC4 pairs gold and individual silver.

Stephen McGuire (GBR)

Missed out on the last two Paralympic podiums, but the BC4 athlete has recently displayed strong form that helped him win individual world gold in 2016.

Worawut Saengampa (THA)

Impressed in his first Paralympics in 2016 by reaching the BC2 finals but lost to his more experienced compatriot Watcharaphon Vongsa. The defending world champion is now threating to overtake his teammate at the No. 1 spot.