On the medal hunt in Brazil

Following the success of British boccia stars at the European Para Championships, the mission to win medals and ranking points continues next week at Fortaleza in Brazil.

Boccia UK is sending five athletes to the Fortaleza 2023 World Boccia Cup which kicks off on 2 September. Led by World Champion Claire Taggart who bagged a bronze at the Europeans earlier this month, the squad will be aiming to impress – especially as the countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games has passed the one year to go milestone.

claire taggart heads to brazil

The Northern Ireland BC2 player will be joined by Will Arnott, who won silver at the Europeans with ramp assistant Connor Wellfare. The duo will no doubt take huge confidence from the podium position in Rotterdam:

“I think I’ve been threatening to have a result like this, maybe for four or five years, and to finally get it is really a great experience.”

Patrick Wilson from Edinburgh and Salisbury’s Sally Kidson will also feature in the line up in Brazil.

And in the BC4s, Louis Saunders from Bognor Regis. Now ranked inside the world top 20 players, the 21-year-old will be eager to climb a few spots up the ranking ladder.

patrick wilson aiming to rack up ranking points

Performance Director Greg Baker says it’s a good opportunity:

“Ranking points are all up for grabs at this World Cup event so it’s a good chance for athletes in the individuals but also the BC3 Pairs. We’re expecting a big event with strong representation from across the nations so it’s really good preparation as we continue on towards Paris 2024, especially now that we have passed the one year to go mark.”