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Boccia bonanza for Thailand
Paralympic champion leads medal winners at biggest competition of 2017 so far. 08 Aug 2017
Watcharaphon Vongsa is the reigning Paralympic boccia BC2 champion
Thailand topped the medals table at the largest boccia event held so far this year, as the Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) 2017 Seville World Open concluded on 6 August in the Spanish city.
Athletes from seven countries took to the podium in the individual events, with Thailand finishing with a gold, a silver and two bronze medals; to add to the two golds they won in the teams and pairs events.
Reigning Paralympic champion Watcharaphon Vongsa won the BC2 event ahead of fellow countryman Worawut Saengampa, who collected bronze. Israel’s Nadav Levi claimed silver in the BC2 individual event. He was impressive throughout and was sandwiched between the No. 1 and 3 ranked players in the world.
Pattaya Tadtong won the bronze in the BC1 class, with compatriot Pornchok Larpyen going one better for Thailand and winning silver in the BC4 event.
Rio 2016 champion David Smith was one of two medallists for Great Britain as he collected gold in the BC1 event to add to the bronze won by Stephen McGuire in the BC4 event.
After finishing with the silver at Rio 2016, Greece’s Greg Polychronidis was impressive throughout the competition to earn gold. He beat Jose Macedo of Portugal and Russia’s Aleksandr Legostaev* who claimed silver and bronze respectively.
There was also more success for Hong Kong in the BC4 class. In an event where they have had so much success in the past with Yuk Wing Leung, it was Kwan Hang Wong who had the honour of taking the gold medal home.
Complete results from the Seville World Open can be found on BISFed’s website: individual results team results
*Editor’s note: The International Paralympic Committee suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee on 7 August 2016 for its inability to fulfil its IPC membership responsibilities and obligations, in particular its obligation to comply with the IPC Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code (to which it is also a signatory). As a result of the suspension, Russian athletes cannot enter IPC sanctioned events or competitions, including the Paralympic Games. For further information please click here.
