Nine nations to compete at boccia’s Americas Championship

Paralympic medallists from Canada and Parapans stars from Argentina, Colombia and Mexico highlight the field. 03 Aug 2013
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Josh Vander Vies

Canada's Josh Vander Vies throws during the mixed pairs boccia BC4 bronze-medal match at London 2012, as his teammate Marco Dispaltro looks on.

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By Daniel Hopkins | For the IPC

As another newcomer to the international scene, Chile will be determined to prove they are not in Kansas just to make up the numbers, with a completely unknown five-man team that includes the BC4 duo of Hugo Llancafil and Leonel Arellano.

Boccia stars from nine nations are set to compete at the 2013 Americas Championship in Kansas, USA which begins on Saturday (3 August) and runs through all of next week.

Here’s a brief run-down of the team’s taking part in one of this year’s largest regional boccia competitions.

Argentina

Argentina will be looking for top finishes from Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games silver-medal winners Pablo Alejandro Cortez and Maria Belen Ruiz, who will compete in BC2 and BC3 events, respectively. Mauricio Javier Ibarbue, who is the reigning BC1 Americas Cup champion, will be looking to retain his title in Kansas.

Bermuda

The small nation is labelled with the tags of underdog and unknown entity, as they are set to compete in what will be only their third international competition. Out of Bermuda’s four competitors, Steve Wilson has been tipped as the islanders’ best hope for a medal when he competes in the individual BC4 event.

Brazil

With the omission of London 2012 double gold medallist Dirceu Pinto from Kansas, reigning BC2 Paralympic champion Maciel Santos will be looking to spearhead a relatively inexperienced Brazil side.

Canada

The London 2012 bronze medal winning pair of Marco Dispaltro and Josh Vander Vies, will be looking to dominate the pairs BC3 event, and they could also end up going head-to-head in the individual BC3 competition.

Chile

As another newcomer to the international scene, Chile will be determined to prove they are not in Kansas just to make up the numbers, with a completely unknown five-man team that includes the BC4 duo of Hugo Llancafil and Leonel Arellano.

Colombia

Colombia will send a large squad consisting of 12 competitors to Kansas, with Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games silver-medal winner Elinia Henao Gonzalez hoping to stand out in the BC1 class.

Mexico

Mexico’s most experienced player Eduardo Flores dominated the BC1 class in his homeland at the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games, and he will be looking to replicate that form, in a BC1 event that will certainly provide some exciting matches.

South Africa

Africa will be represented by three competitors from South Africa, including BC1 player Jodash Maistry, and BC2 athletes Laikath Aziz and Alvino Swanepoel.

USA

Coached by Jeff Jones, the host nation will be looking to make the most of the home crowd and use it to make a lasting impression on the boccia world. USA’s only London 2012 competitor Austin Hanson will compete in the BC3 event, with talented youngster Elizabeth Flora-Swick taking part in the BC1 class.