(Ottawa, July 22nd 2006) Josh Vander Vies, of London, Ontario and Jonathan Poulin, of Montreal won an important match 3-1 against Deszo Beres and Jozsef Gyurkota of Hungary, the second ranked team in the World and are now one win away from the gold medal in the BC4 category at the Croatian Boccia Open in Osijek, Croatia.
“This was an incredible match, that we will remember for a long time to come.” Says Canadian Coach Mario Delisle. “We make use of this positive outcome to further build our confidence in light of the World Championships taking place in Brazil this October.”
This was the third time in two years that the Canadian team has faced off against the Hungarians, with this games representing the first win. The game was very close. The Canadians scored a point in the first three end and the Hungarians were only able to score one themselves in the last end. “The match was fantastic,” recalls VanderVies. “Jonathan and I played our best pairs match.” “This victory will put our nerves at ease.” Says Poulin. “Now anything is possible in the World Championship games and in the 2008 Paralympic games in Peking.
Earlier today, the Canadian won 6-1 against a Croatian Team. Poulin and Vander Vies will complete the round robin against a second team of Croatia. If they win that game, they will bring home the gold medal.
The rest of the Canadian Team (BC1/BC2 and BC3) will participate in the Austrian Boccia Open at the end of July in Vienna, Austria.
Boccia is a paralympic sport open to athletes with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke or similar non-progressive conditions. All competitors compete in wheelchairs and some are permitted to use assistive devices (usually a ramp or chute to aid in throwing the ball). Only athletes with a severe disability are eligible to compete in boccia.
The Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA) is an athlete focused national organization administering and governing sport opportunities targeted to athletes with CP and related disabilities. CCPSA and its provincial partners cooperate as a proactive force to facilitate the development of equitable and fair sporting opportunities for our athletes.
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For more information
Dominique Tremblay
CCPSA
(613) 748-1430
(819) 360-6333
Dominique@ccpsa.ca
