Canada’s Next Generation Serves Up Tough Competition
Montreal, QC (April 30, 2018) – A mix of up-and-coming and veteran athletes faced off on Sunday at the National Boccia Tournament in Montreal during the last day of competition of the Défi sportif AlterGo.
“The level of competition was very high. There’s been an improvement in performance at each event. It was very gratifying to see these young people talking to their peers from other countries and discussing strategy,” affirmed Mario Delisle, coach of the national boccia team.
In the BC1 category, Josée Lamothe (QC) snagged the gold medal with a 5-0 victory over Chris Halpen(BC) in the final. Lance Cryderman (ON) rounded out the podium.
In BC2 action, veteran Adam Dukovich (ON) had a perfect record on Sunday. After four victories in as many matches in the pools and a win in the semi-final, he went on to defeat seventeen years old Danik Allard (QC) 6-1 in the gold medal final. Haley Redmond (NL) secured the bronze medal, pushing Krystin Collins (NL) into fourth place.
“I’m happy to have won my first BC2 medal. I’ve been playing for five years, so I’m glad it’s still going well for me and that I’m continuing to progress. I’m passionate about this sport. I love it and I plan to continue playing,” said Allard.
“My next goal is to keep up my momentum. I’ve been doing a lot of good work since the beginning of the year and I’d like to continue what I started,” he added.
In the BC3 group, Marylou Martineau (QC) also had a flawless record on Sunday. She shut out Samuel Lafleur (QC) 10-0 in the semi-final and Alexandre Raymond (QC) 11-0 in the final. Raymond went home with the silver medal while Lafleur finished in fourth place after being ousted by Joëlle Guerette (QC) in the bronze medal final.
Fifteen-year-old Joshua Gautier (ON) won the BC4 category. Alexandre Lemaire (QC) claimed the silver medal while Alek St-Pierre (QC) took the bronze.
“I think I’ve improved. My first balls were well placed and I managed to push around those of my opponents,” noted Gauthier. “I’d like to represent Ontario in the Nationals and maybe compete in the Paralympics someday.”
In the BC5 class, Adam Burnett of the U.S.A. posted a record of three wins and no losses and was crowned champion in his category. Marc-Antoine Goupil (QC) and Guy Simard (QC) came in second and third.
In the open category, Ariane Dubuc (QC) won the gold medal while Nancie Caldwell (QC) and Richard Brochu (QC) were awarded silver and bronze.
About Boccia Canada
Boccia Canada is the boccia delivery arm of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA), the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of boccia. Boccia Canada is focused on providing athletes and individuals of all ages and skill with the chance to play a unique Paralympic sport. CCPSA collaborates with partners to increase the participation of Canadians with cerebral palsy and related disabilities in sport and physical activity, while leading, developing and growing boccia from grassroots, to producing World and Paralympic Champions.
About boccia
Boccia is a Paralympic sport of precision and strategy similar to lawn bowling or curling, played by athletes with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and related disabilities. It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart. Athletes compete in one of six sport classes based on their level and type of disability: BC1, BC2, BC3 BC4, BC5, and Open.
Media Contact
Jennifer Larson
Program Manager, Boccia Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 613-748-1430 x2 | 613-890-5101