Martineau and Lemaire lose in Quarterfinals, Young Boccia Athletes Finish Individual Event with Key Learnings in Poznan, Poland
Marylou Martineau in action versus the host country at the World Boccia Challenger in Poznan, Poland
Ottawa, ON (June 28, 2024) – The Poznan World Boccia Challenger was an opportunity for three young, Canadian National Team athletes under 23 years old to compete and represent their country on the world stage. Alexandre Lemaire (Kingsey Falls, ON), Marylou Martineau (Québec City, QC), and Olivier Roy (Québec City, QC) competed for an individual medal this week which precedes the BC3 Pairs competition that starts on Saturday for Lemaire and Martineau.
Lemaire finished second in his pool to advance to the playoffs where he beat Arno Van Praet from Belgium 4-2. Lemaire began strong with a long ball in the first end that secured him two points to start. In the third end he aimed for a similar spot on his side of the court about 7 meters away, where Van Praet made a dire mistake in pushing his opponent’s ball forward which ultimately cost Belgium the game.
Lemaire then advanced but lost in the quarters to Great Britain’s William Arnott, who just recently punched his ticket to the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Lemaire was motivated still: “I learned a lot during this competition. For example, how to not get intimidated by the opposition and the perfect point of contact for my displacements. My next goal? Now that I made it to the quarters, I would like to reach the semis next time around.”
Martineau beat the first-place athlete in Pool B, Rehab Almgbal, from Saudi Arabia 6-4 and moved along to the quarters where she lost to Arnott’s BC3 partner, Sally Kidson, 2-6. It was a gallant effort by Martineau to keep the game against Kidson within reach. A strong first end set the tone when Martineau displaced both of Kidson’s balls that were closest to the jack, to nail the jack afterwards and score her first point. Kidson retaliated in the second end to score four points which was the difference maker. Martineau still held on in the third, with each side taking a point, , but she was too far back to recoup in the fourth.
The youngest of the bunch at 21, Roy, was tasked with the largest number of athletes in the BC2 male pool. A total of 18 men made up this category, with six pools in the mix. Roy was unable to get himself out of a competitive Pool C, where the two others ended up advancing past the playoffs to the quarterfinals thereafter. This was Roy’s first senior international competition which brought him immense joy and gratitude: “Thank you to Boccia Canada for allowing me to battle against the world’s best in my category. This competition has allowed me to also learn what I need to work on for future competitions!”
Rewatch Lemaire’s quarterfinal game here and follow the next portion of the competition via webcast here.
Results and schedule can be found here throughout the competition.
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