Solid start for Smith in Tokyo

Britain’s David Smith MBE has made a solid start in his campaign to defend his Paralympic title in Tokyo.

The World no.1 from Eastleigh, who now lives in Swansea, overcame China’s Qi Zhang 7-1 and is now preparing to face Argentina’s Mauricio Ibarbure tomorrow.

“I’m glad to get the first game out of the way,” said Smith. “I had some nervous moments against the same opponent at London 2012 so to get a solid win was great. I’m happy with how I played and excited for the next game.”

David Smith in action on day one of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

After competing against each other in their living room, and later their local church hall, during lockdown, Jamie and Scott McCowan drew each other in their first pool match.

With their parents assisting on the ramps, it was the first time all four members of the McCowan family had appeared together on a Paralympic court.

The brothers got off to a nervous start but settled into the game in the second end. It was older brother Scott, however, who had the upper hand throughout, beating Jamie 7-1.

“I don’t think it’s any different playing your brother than any other opponent when the game’s on,” said Scott. “But when it’s finished and you’ve got the result, it’s obviously disappointing for Jamie. But we just try and give (the match) the respect it deserves. You’ve just got to go out and play your game.”

Jamie revelled in the big moment:

“We’ve never been on a Paralympic court together so it’s a big occasion and the whole build-up to the game was good. Boccia is our life, for the four of us, so to demonstrate that to everybody here was really exciting to be part of.”

The McCowan family after the match which saw the brothers compete against each other.

Meanwhile, Louis Saunders and Will Hipwell can now officially call themselves Paralympians after their first pool matches today.

It was always going to be tough day for Cambridge’s Hipwell in the BC2 category as he was pitted against the powerful Worawut Saengampa of Thailand. Saengampa is world no.1 and became the BC2 World Champion in Liverpool in 2018.

On officially becoming a Paralympian, he said:

“It feels really good. It’s the culmination of so many years’ work. It is a really special feeling.”

Meanwhile, Saunders from Bognor Regis, in the BC4 category was up against Samuel Andrejcik from Slovakia. Ranked no.6 in the world rankings, the Andrejcik won the nation’s first individual medal in boccia at the Paralympic Games by claiming silver at Rio 2016.

Louis said:

“It’s amazing to be able to call myself a Paralympian. I‘m just so proud to represent ParalympicsGB. I’ve been working so hard to try and get onto the squad. Now, I’m here and it’s fantastic.

“It was a great game and Samuel played really well. It was a tight battle but when you have an opportunity, you have to try and seize it and I’ll be taking that into the matches over the next two days.”

Claire Taggart faced Luis Cristaldo from Argentina and is now going to “look at the positives and reset” after a narrow defeat of 2-5:

“It was really tight throughout and either of us could won,” explained the boccia player from Larne, Northern Ireland. “It came down to the last end – really the last couple of balls – but I’m really pleased with how I played. It was a really intense match and obviously the first match back since Covid.

“To actually get on court and feel the buzz again is just amazing and it’s what instils the love in me for this sport.”

It was a tough day too for Stephen McGuire who lost 1-4 to Hong Kong’s Kwan Hang Wong. The Scotsman said:

“Athletes from Hong Kong are always going to provide a tough test. I have to applaud Wong for playing the perfect game. From my perspective, there are positives to take. I created chances but I need to be more clinical with angles. Tomorrow, I play the home nation athlete Esaki so I’m looking forward to an exciting match.”

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