Top boccia athletes take on BISFed Asia-Oceania Champs

Thailand will look to build off their Rio 2016 success when their athletes take on the Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) 2017 Asia and Oceania Championships, which begin Wednesday (24 May).

Around 80 athletes from 11 nations will face off in Hong Kong, China, with competitions being streamed live at the event website.

Thailand was the most successful nation at last September’s Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, leaving with five medals (two golds), and the most anticipating match up in Hong Kong is expected in the BC2 category. A Rio 2016 finals rematch could see reigning Paralympic champion Watcharaphon Vongsa and Worawut Saengampa duel for the gold medal. The duo also teamed up with compatriots Pattaya Tadtong and Subin Tipmanee to take Paralympic gold over Japan in the BC1-2 team event, a victory the Thai team would look to replicate in Hong Kong.

The BC4 individual event is expected to be also be a tight contest. Hong Kong’s defending Paralympic champion and Laureus Sports Award nominee Yuk Wing Leung will be challenged by Thailand’s Pornchok Larpyen, who may be looking for revenge after falling to Leung in the Rio 2016 semi-finals.

Han Soo Kim, world champion from 2014, fell just short of the Paralympic podium. But the South Korean can rebound from that disappointment in the BC3 individual event.

His compatriot Won Jong Yoo will look to build off his Paralympic bronze medal. But Thailand’s London 2012 gold medallist Tadtong will be hungry for a medal after leaving Rio without an individual medal.

Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Iran, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore will also be represented.

Competition begins Wednesday with team and pairs events, and the individua events being contested from Thursday (25 May) to Sunday (28 May).

Complete information on the BISFed 2017 Asia and Oceania Championships can be found on the event website.