Triple Triumph: Canada Kicks off Santiago Challenger with Three Medals
Team Canada celebrates medals by Lance Cryderman, Liza Puri and Danik Allard in Chile
Ottawa, ON (April 10, 2025) — Team Canada is off to a strong start at the Santiago World Boccia Challenger, capturing three medals in the opening rounds of competition. The first half of the tournament saw standout performances from Lance Cryderman (Val Caron, ON) and Danik Allard (Bois-des-Filion, QC), who earned individual silver and bronze medals, along with Liza Puri (London, ON), who helped the BC1/2 team win bronze in her international debut.
Cryderman topped his pool with an impressive 18-point differential. He advanced to faced Brazil’s three-time Paralympian, José Carlos Oliveira, in a tightly contested gold medal match. Cryderman fell just short, with a narrow 5-3 loss, earning a well-deserved silver that speaks to his consistency and determination throughout the tournament.
Allard finished just behind Argentina’s Luis Cristaldo in the round robin stage. After falling to Cristaldo in pool play, Allard turned the tables in the bronze medal game. He delivered a focused and resilient performance, defeating Cristaldo 6-4 to secure a podium spot.
Puri competed in BC2 individual play before joining her teammates in the team event. A victory over Chile was all it took for Allard, Cryderman, and Puri to claim Canada’s third medal of the event.
According to Head Coach Cesar Nicolai, it was an ideal opportunity for Puri to build confidence on the world stage while contributing to the team’s success.
“Lance and Danik defended their ranking here with the pool of athletes in Santiago. The result was second and third, finishing with a silver and bronze medal. In the Team category, we witnessed Liza’s debut, and she rose to the challenge with a bronze! A promising season opener and next we see the BC3 and BC4s in action!”
The next leg of the competition continues with the BC3 and BC4 individual and pair events. Representing Canada are Alexandre Lemaire (Kingsey Falls, QC) in the BC3 men’s division, Alison Levine (Montréal, QC) in the BC4 women’s division, and Iulian Ciobanu (Montréal, QC) in the BC4 men’s division. They will look to build on Canada’s early momentum at the Santiago World Boccia Challenger.
All results and schedule updates are here. Find the webcast here including the opportunity to rewatch games played on Court 1.
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