The great news for Great Britain’s Paralympic team keeps on coming as David Smith won his second successive individual Paralympic gold. Get Kids Going! support the athletes in Boccia UK and earlier this year gave them a grant to support the next generation of boccia stars.
Seeing athletes like David Smith take a second gold medal is just the encouragement our young athletes need. Smith’s gold medal is the 30th won by the Great British team in Tokyo and the team have now surpassed 80 medals.
Thursday sees the start of the boccia team events. Scott McCowan who just missed out on a bronze today will join his younger brother Jamie – a Get Kids Going! supported athlete and York’s Beth Moulam in a bid for the podium:
“I think we’re definitely one of the favourites to go all the way here. So I think we need to try and keep the performances going.” said Scott.
Boccia UK Performance Director Helen Nicholls said, “It’s fantastic to be back on court after 20 months and we’re so proud of how the athletes have responded. We have players here – like 19-year-old Louis Saunders – who are making their Paralympic debut in Tokyo. They’re learning and gathering experience that will pay dividends in the future.”
We are very proud to support younger players like Louis Saunders, Claire Taggart, Jamie McCowan, Evie Edwards and Patrick Wilson.
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.”
Claire Taggart faced Luis Cristaldo from Argentina and was narrow defeated 2-5:
“It was really tight throughout and either of us could won,” said Claire. “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.”
We’re looking forward to cheering on our other Get Kids Going! athletes in the coming days. Catch up with our daily Paralympic news posts here.