Smith remains confident on day two

Sunday 29 August

British boccia player David Smith MBE remains upbeat despite defeat in his second pool match of the day.

He began the day with a closely fought 4-3 victory over Mauricio Ibarbure of Argentina. But his campaign to defend his individual Paralympic title was later tested when he lost 5-7 to Mexico’s Eduardo Sanchez Reyes.

David Smith MBE in action on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

However, Smith’s chances of qualifying for the quarter final still look promising as Reyes and the remaining player of Pool A, Takumi Nakamura of Japan, have both lost to Qi Zhang. Smith plays his final pool match against Nakamura tomorrow:

“I’m disappointed with that result but overall I’m satisfied with my play today and I’m feeling good. I’m looking forward to competing on the show court tomorrow and I feel ready to attack the knockout stages with all I’ve got!”

Elsewhere, Scott McCowan in the BC3 category is celebrating after his second victory in the pool matches. The player from Dundonald beat Stefania Ferrando of Argentina 6-1.

He now faces Australia’s Spencer Cotie who today beat Scott’s younger brother, Jamie.

“It’s a good start so far,” said Scott. “It’s everything I’d hoped for. Tomorrow will be a tough game because Cotie’s won his two matches as well. That will be the battle to win the group.”

“It’s the first tournament in 20 months for the British boccia squad after months of shielding and lockdowns. Scott is certainly enjoying being back on court:

“It’s amazing to be back playing boccia again at the highest level. Tokyo so far has been everything and more that we wanted. The people are really friendly, the event’s great and well organised.”

Jamie McCowan is now looking ahead to the Pairs event after his 2-5 defeat to the Australian:

“I think I’ve ended my chances of getting through but I’ve got to focus on the Pairs. We’re here for the whole week so I’m trying to put the disappointment aside until the whole tournament finishes. We’ve still got a medal opportunity to go for.”

In the BC4 category, Stephen McGuire of Hamilton, Scotland is feeling more confident after triumphing over Japan’s Shun Esaki 3-2:

“The pressure was on for me to get back to winning ways after losing yesterday’s match. I was also playing the home favourite which is always tough. It was a very difficult match,  a very close match. Hopefully a win tomorrow by three or four points would take me through – that’s the target.

“But it’s a privilege to be here back doing what we love,” added Stephen. “It’s been 20 months since I’ve competed so it’s fantastic to see so many athletes in a great arena. I’m loving it!"

Steph McGuire is victorious in his second pool match at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Nineteen-year-old Louis Saunders is making his Paralympic debut in Tokyo. He is the youngest member of the squad and will be gunning for success at Paris 2024. Today, he was up against Thailand’s Pornchok Larpyen – Rio 2016 double bronze medallist in the BC4 category:

“It was a tight battle at the start. We were both quite nervous and that showed in our execution. I was pleased to get the point on the first end. I dug myself out of that situation well but then I missed too many shots throughout the rest of the game and didn’t dominate in my jack position which I have to do at this level to give these guys a good challenge.”

In the BC2s, Claire Taggart fell to Korea’s Yongjin Lee. Despite leading 2-1 by the end of the third end, Lee scored an extra two points to tip the balance:

“It was so close and well fought. I’m obviously disappointed in the result. There were opportunities I missed. This is my first time competing as an individual at a Paralympic Games and I’m still learning. Tomorrow, I have this opportunity where I don’t think I’ll get through the pool so I’ll be playing with freedom, relax into it and go from there.”

Claire Taggart just misses out in her second pool match at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Paralympic debutante Will Hipwell put up a good fight against the experienced Robert Mezik of Slovakia with a fantastic three points in the third end but lost 3-6:

“It was a really enjoyable game because we went toe to toe with each other and to get the points back in third end and forcing a crucial final end was a really good feeling. Overall, it was a really good game and I ran him close so I’m pleased.

“I now want to take the momentum in tomorrow’s game.”