World champion David SMITH (GBR) came through a vital match against NAKAMURA Takumi (JPN) at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre on Monday to book his place in the boccia BC1 individual quarterfinals.
SMITH, defending his Rio 2016 gold medal at Tokyo 2020, coasted to a comprehensive 11-1 victory against his Japanese opponent on the final day of the individual preliminary round.
“It was a battle. It was more about myself this morning, getting myself up for it. I had a good sleep last night. I knew it was important and I came in psyched today.” SMITH said.
“It was like a knockout round. I knew if I won I was through and if I lost I was out.”
SMITH finished the preliminary round with a record of three wins and one defeat and will play Witsanu HUADPRADIT (THA) in the last eight.
The three other individual champions from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games also advanced to the quarterfinals on Monday.
Watcharaphon VONGSA (THA) continued his dominant form in the BC2 competition with a 10-0 win against Nadav LEVI (ISR). In his three victories so far, VONGSA has scored 33 points and conceded none – a daunting statistic for his quarterfinal opponent Dmitry KOZMIN (RPC).
Rio 2016 BC3 champion JEONG Howon (KOR) moved into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory against Mateus CARVALHO (BRA) and will take on Adam PESKA (CZE) in the quarterfinals.
BC4 champion Yuk Wing LEUNG (HKG) lost Monday’s match to Eliseu DOS SANTOS (BRA) but still qualified for the quarterfinals, where he will face Michaela BALCOVA (SVK).
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For full boccia schedule and results click here
