Povoa shows we're on track for Paris

The GB Boccia squad confirmed it is on track for the Paralympic Games after a solid performance at the Povoa World Cup.

Returning home from Portugal with four medals. David Smith OBE received a boost to his Paralympic defence in Paris by winning gold while Claire Taggart secured the bronze. The duo also secured silver in the BC1/2 Team event alongside Kayleigh Haggo.

“My individual competition went as well as I could have hoped,” said Smith. “Semi-final, I started playing nice and free, exciting and energetic boccia which was good and then the final where I took a bit of a backwards step in terms of performance but I got the result I needed so I’m pretty satisfied with that.”

smith wins gold and also silver in the BC1/2 team

“Going into the Team, we had a great result against the Netherlands and then we played a very strong Brazil team who had revenge on their minds after our win in Sao Paulo and we lost to them in the pool. Fortunately, we’d already secured our spot in the semi-finals.”

“We played a really good game against Slovakia in the semi-final. Getting into the final was great but we didn’t play as well as we did in Sao Paulo a couple of weeks ago. But it’s good to get into that major final and we know we can play better so we’re going to rest up, recover and build up for Paris. We’re raring to go and enjoying the journey.”

Perhaps the highlight of the British performance, however, came from 16-year-old Sophie Newnham. The Surbiton teenager isn’t yet old enough to compete at the Paralympic Games but she certainly made her intentions very clear by winning silver.

Beating Canada’s Alison Levine, the world number two, en route to the podium, she is certainly a name to note for the future.

“I feel really proud to have won silvber at World Cup level, having beaten some of the best players in the world. Finishing my international debut season and bringing back an individual gold and two individual silver medals is a big achievement for me and hopefully I can keep this momentum going into next season and the next Paralympic cycle.”

sophie impressed in povoa

Performance Director Greg Baker says:

“The Povoa World Cup was the final tournament ahead of the Paralympic Games and now all our attentions over the next five weeks turn to Paris and our final preparations which includes domestic and international training. It’s an exciting time and everyone is feeling ready for the challenge ahead.  

“Povoa was a good tournament for us - it attracted a very strong field so to come away with four medals was a very solid achievement. It is particularly pleasing to see the BC1/2 Team consistently deliver at world class events.

“Of course, I must mention Sophie Newnham who has made her senior debut this year. To win silver at World Cup level when you’re just 16 is a brilliant result and I look forward to seeing her continue to perform in the next cycle, as we build towards the LA Paralympics in 2028.”