Double Bronze in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, Brazil (May 24 2018) – A successful morning that started with two bronze medal victories in individual play was followed by victories for the team and pairs event at the BISFed 2018 Sao Paulo Boccia Regional Open.
BC1 athlete Hanif Mawji (Burnaby, BC) faced Chile’s German Calderon in the first bronze medal match. After a slow start from both athletes, Mawji took an important lead in the second end. He didn’t look back, stayed calm and grabbed points every end, winning 6-1. Head Coach Mario Delisle noted Mawji was definitely one of the stars of the day.
Teammates Marylou Martineau (Québec, QC) and Eric Bussière (Verchères, QC) faced each other in the BC3 bronze medal game. Martineau was consistent, taking two points every end, and winning the game 8-0 to repeat her bronze medal result from last year’s Montreal Regional Open. Bussière finished individual play in fourth place.
Benoit Ostiguy (Montreal, QC) competed against Irving Montiel Hernandez (MEX) in the BC2 bronze medal game. After Ostiguy took an early 1-0 lead, Hernandez took control of the play and Ostiguy ultimately lost the match 4-1, placing fourth in the BC2 category.
Philippe Lord (Blainville, QC) missed qualifying for the BC3 semi-finals by a sliver and finished in fifth position. Josée Lamothe (Trois-Rivières, QC) placed ninth in the BC1 category. All these athletes also competed in the team and pairs competition, which began immediately after completion of the individual medal round.
The BC3 pairs and BC1/2 team both began their tournaments against Chile. Martineau and Lord came up with a big 5-3 victory. The BC3 duo played from behind for the first three ends but stayed calm and stole the game with 4 points in the last end. It was a huge confidence boost for the young athletes, who played a tremendous game without veteran athlete Bussière.
Mawji, Lamothe and Ostiguy then partnered to beat their Chilean opponents 6-5. “Lamothe played an incredible last ball to grab the final available point to push Canada to a victory,” added Delisle. “I am so proud of this team victory. It is our first one of the international competition year here in Sao Paulo.” Added Lamothe, “We all worked hard and together to reach this result.” The team played extremely well together, and the communication between the teammates lead to this victory.
Team and pairs competition continues into Friday and Saturday. For a full list of results and schedule, visit www.BISFed.com. Follow live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cZ8o04pgac.
Results Summary
Bronze Medal Matches
BC1
Hanif Mawji (CAN) 6, German Calderon (CHI) 1
BC2
Benoit Ostiguy (CAN) 1, Irving Montiel Hernandez (MEX) 4
BC3
Eric Bussiere (CAN) 0, Marylou Martineau (CAN) 8
Teams and Pairs
Team BC1/BC2
Canada 5, Chile 4
Pairs BC3
Canada 5, Chile 3
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
Natalie Antoine
Communications and National Team Coordinator, Boccia Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 613-748-1430 x3 | 613-608-4347