Champions Emerge at 2023 Canadian Boccia Championships in Individual Event
Hanif Mawji battled for BC1 gold versus Lance Cryderman, while Chris Halpen took bronze (left to right) at the Richmond Olympic Oval for the 29th edition of the Canadian Boccia Championships
Ottawa, ON (October 29, 2023) – After a series of tightly-contested playoff games, where precision, skill, and strategy was on full display, champions in BC1, BC2, BC3, and BC4/5/Open Classes were crowned at the 2023 Canadian Boccia Championships in Richmond, British Columbia.
“The games are a testament to the class of athletes here in Canada. Some great matches showed by everyone with some exciting nail-biting finishes.” says National Team Coach, Ed Richardson.
Fans of the sport, either watching at the Richmond Olympic Oval or on the CBC webcast here were treated to note-worthy match ups, including the BC1 finals showdown between Hanif Mawji (Burnaby, BC) and Lance Cryderman (Sudbury, ON). The two have been neck in neck at national tournaments in the BC1 category in the past few years.
Cryderman was up by two points 4-2 before the final end and he strategically played defensively by throwing short balls. Mawji capitalized on a slight opening, scoring two points to take the match to a tiebreak, where Cryderman responded to the B.C. native’s cluster of balls with a perfect shot through the slot. With his fifth ball, Cryderman then pushed the fourth forward to score a point to win and capture the gold.
The level of skill and composure is a culmination of years of hard work and dedication for these athletes. “I am able to better manage my emotions in high pressure situations now and have developed a better sense of strategy to capitalize on opportunities against opponents like Hanif,” said Cryderman.
In the BC2 class, the final was once again a showdown of the top nationally ranked athletes. Current number one in Canada, Danik Allard (Bois-des-Filions, QC) versus number two Kristyn Collins (St. John’s, NL). Collins started strong with two points in the first end and then Allard came back in the next three ends to win 6-2. A lot of composure was seen with Allard and Collins over the course of this competition which they will take with them to the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile in three weeks. There, both will be playing together alongside Cryderman in Team play.
Dave Richer (Montréal, QC) defeated Olivier Roy (Québec City, QC) in the bronze medal match of BC2 individual class.
It was a Québec sweep in BC3s play with a first place for Alexandre Lemaire (Kingsey Falls, QC), second for Joëlle Guérette (Sainte-Sophie, QC), and bronze for Marylou Martineau (Québec City, QC).
It’s a first for Lemaire at a Canadian Championships: “It’s been many years that I have been on Team Québec. It’s fun to win and a highlight for me because I’ve waited a long time to reach this point.”
“Having a large group of competitive athletes and a competitive boccia circuit in Québec, allows the athletes to challenge themselves throughout the year and reach their full potential,” says Simon Larouche, Boccia Québec Coach.
In the Mixed BC4/BC5/Open category, Giovanni De Sero (Guelph, ON) went undefeated enroute to gold, while Marc-Antoine Goupil (Honfleur, QC) placed second and Kylie Waters (Victoria, BC) third.
“It’s incredible to see different athletes from different provinces that we don’t see on a regular basis. To come to this amazing facility here in Richmond… To see new people and get caught up with how people are doing within the boccia community is great to see. It’s amazing,” explained De Sero.
There are a mix of approximately 150 athletes, performance partners, officials, team managers, coaches, and technical delegates, plus fans of the sport, family and friends present in Richmond this week to witness amazing performances from the athletes.
“It’s so great to see the support and comradery within the boccia community this week in British Columbia… We are delighted to host our National Championships at the fabulous Richmond Oval and look forward to the last day of competition” explained Peter Leyser, Executive Director, Boccia Canada.
Team and Pairs will continue tomorrow. Find all the results and schedule from the 2023 Canadian Championships here, including Individuals and Team/Pairs.
Find the live webcast here. After the competition is over, you can rewatch the webcast on Boccia Canada’s YouTube page here.
For all information regarding this year’s Nationals, please refer the Boccia Canada webpage here.
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. We lead, develop and grow boccia from grassroots to producing World Champions, and we collaborate with partners to increase participation of Canadians with physical disabilities in sport.
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
Holly Janna
Communications Lead and National Team Coordinator, Boccia Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 613-748-1430 x3 | Cell: 514-944-5193