David SMITH (GBR), for the third straight match, came from behind to win. This time it was in the BC1 class final, where SMITH defeated Chew WEI LUN (MAS) 4-2 to retain the Paralympic title he won in this event at the Rio 2016 Games.
There was delight for the host nation as SUGIMURA Hidetaka (JPN) beat defending champion Watcharaphon VONGSA (THA) 5-0 to clinch the BC2 gold, while Adam PESKA (CZE) won the BC3 class on a tiebreak against Greece’s 2018 World Champion Grigorios POLYCHRONIDIS.
The first gold of the day had earlier gone to Samuel ANDREJCIK (SVK), who beat Pornchok LARPYEN (THA) 4-0 in the BC4 class and went a step higher after his Silver medal in Rio.
The Bronze medal matches were nail biting and every tactic was used to secure the medal. Victors were LEUNG Yuk Wing (HKG) in the BC4 Class; SANTOS Maciel (BRA) in the BC2 Class; de OLIVEIRA Jose Carlos Chagas (BRA) in the BC1 and MICHEL Daniel (AUS) in the BC3.
Interestingly, in the BC4 Class, all three medalists in Tokyo were also on the podium in Rio, where Gold, Silver and Bronze were awarded to LEUNG Yuk Wing (HKG), Samuel ANDREJCIK (SVK) & Pornchok LARPYEN (THA) respectively.
Congratulations to all medalists and individual competition participants for the excellent Boccia put on display to the World.
The team and pairs competitions begin tomorrow.
Watch the highlights of Day 5 here.
For full boccia schedule and results click here
