Thailand was dominant in today’s semi-finals at the BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships as they are promised to return home with two medals.
Thailand’s BC1 / BC2 team – featuring World number one BC2 Watcharaphon Vongsa and individual BC2 gold medallist Worawut Saengampa – scored victory today over Brazil. It was a 8-3 win over the Brazilians; a performance true to Thailand’s number one status in the world rankings.
This now sets up a meeting in tomorrow’s final over Japan who nearly missed out on a spot in the finals after China took them to a 6-5 scoreline going into the final end.
The fight for BC1/BC2 bronze will see Brazil battling China.
Greece’s Grigorios Polychronidis will be hopeful to add to his Liverpool medal haul. After winning gold individually earlier this week, the BC3 wonder will be in finals Pairs action against Australia along with teammate Anna Ntenta.
Polychronidis said:
“Each game is so tough. I was just telling Katerina that I am exhausted. Even though we were winning, each end felt like the first with a 0/0 scoreline.”
Hong Kong will go up against Republic of Korea in the bronze medal match.
Meanwhile, Slovakia should have the upper hand in the BC4 Pairs as the World number ones prepare to face Thailand who are ranked sixth.
Samuel Andrejcik explained:
“We are very excited. It’s an amazing feeling and an honour to be in the final. We know these guys (Thailand), we can prepare somehow and we must rest a lot and we hope for the best result as we can do.”
In their second bronze medal opportunity of the day, Hong Kong’s BC4 Pairs will face Germany.
The BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships has been made possible thanks to UK Sport’s National Lottery funding through its Major Events Programme.
The main court will be live from Sunday 12 August from 09:00-19:00 BST to Saturday 18 August from 10:30-18:00 BST on the BBC Sport website, Sport app & connected TV.
Article written by Jane Thomas
Photograph credit sportingwales
