Britain’s David Smith didn’t have long to celebrate after yesterday’s individual gold medal in the boccia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

It was back to business this morning as the Team and Pairs events started in the Ariake Arena. Smith is joined by Claire Taggart and Will Hipwell in the BC1/2 Team.

The trio battled it out ending up level 7-7 going into the final against China. Great Britain took a risky shot which didn’t pay off and China took a four-point victory. Boccia UK Performance Director Helen Nicholls described it as “a tough defeat but a brave performance.”

They are back on court tomorrow to face Argentina and RPC - the Russian Paralympic Committee.

There was better news in the BC4 Pairs despite the fact they find themselves in a tough pool. Stephen McGuire, Louis Saunders and Evie Edwards took a terrific first 6-4 victory over Brazil, silver medallists in this event from Rio 2016:

“Brazil have a strong track record so we always knew it was going to be tricky but to get three points in the first end really set us up well.”

Slovakia – the World Champions in the BC4 Pairs – dominated in the second BC4 pool match with McGuire’s team trailing by 0-8. But there remains a good opportunity for the Brits to qualify for the semi-final if they can overcome France and Portugal tomorrow.

Meanwhile, York’s Beth Moulam officially became a Paralympian today, on court with brothers Scott and Jamie McCowan in the BC3 Pairs.

From left: Louis Saunders, Evie Edwards and Stephen McGuire

The BC3 suffered agonisingly close defeats to Republic of Korea, which went to a tiebreak, and then Greece – the bronze medallists in this event from Rio 2016 – by just two points.

“Even at this standard, I have to remember it is just the same game that I play at home, just on the world stage,” said Moulam..