The Canadian Boccia Team is in Wigan, England this week-end to participate in the Cheshire Building Society International Boccia Championships, the final tune-up prior the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games which will be held September 6 – 17. After the first day of competition, the BC3 pair and BC1/BC2 Team have reached the semi-finals of the Competition.
The Canadians were able to reach their main objective: “Canada had a good day today”, said national team head coach, Mario Delisle. “The athletes were able to maintain their focus and executed many good shots. I am very happy that two of our three teams made the finals and I hope for good results tomorrow”.
In the BC3 Pair category, Paul Gauthier and Monica Martino, of Vancouver, BC and Alison Kabush of Surrey, BC, finished first in their pool with victories of 6-2 and 8-2 against Wales and Ireland. They will face Spain in the semi-finals. In the BC1/BC2 Team Event, Adam Dukovich and Tammy McLeod, both of London, ON, Brock Richardson, of Brampton, ON and Hanif Mawji, of Burnaby, BC qualified for the semi-final by defeating Holland 9-1 and losing 6-4 against the number one ranked team in the world, Great-Britain. They will be able to have their revenge tomorrow as they face Great Britain again in the semi-final.
Jonathan Poulin, of Laval, QC and Josh Vander Vies, of London, ON, who have not qualified for the Paralympic Games in the BC4 Pair category, will play for the 5th position, tomorrow.
