Zhong Kai secures boccia victory that prompts Nigel Murray's retirement

Pattaya Tadtong won the all-Thai quarter-final against Witsanu Huadpradit 7-0.

Zhong Kai secured a tense victory over Nigel Murray to force the British boccia team captain into retirement.

Murray, 48, was hoping for a fifth Paralympic Games medal after leading GB to the mixed team BC1-2 bronze medal on Tuesday (4 September), but will instead retire after defeat in the individual BC2 quarter-finals at the ExCeL on Thursday (6 September).

Trailing 2-1, Murray appeared on course for at least a tie-break when he found a gap with his fourth red ball but Zhong used his power to shift the ball and secure a winning position.

While Murray bows out, David Smith won a tight BC1 match against Zhang Qi (China) to reach a semi-final against Norway’s Roger Aandalen. Pattaya Tadtong won the all-Thai quarter-final against Witsanu Huadpradit 7-0.

In mixed individual BC4, there were contrasting fortunes for Scottish brothers Peter and Stephen McGuire.

Brazil’s Dirceu Pinto sealed the win after being pushed into a tie-break by Peter, while Stephen beat Radek Prochazka 5-3.

Gold medal BC3 pairs winner Grigorios Polychronidis (Greece) lost 7-2 to Korea’s Choi Ye-Jin, leaving Jeong Ho-Won as clear favourite for the gold medal.