Gold, bronze and two debuts in Poznan

Boccia UK continued its medal haul at the World Boccia Intercontinental Challenger in Poznan, Poland last week.

Jamie McCowan from Dundonald in Ayrshire was back on form, winning gold in the BC3 Individuals. Together with Mum, Linda, who serves as ramp assistant, McCowan sailed through his first two pool matches before facing boccia legend and reigning world champion Grigoris Polychronidis which the Greek won on tiebreak.

Into the quarter-finals, McCowan put on a boccia masterclass against the host nation’s Leszek Lorens, triumphing 8-1. Turkey’s Oner Bozbiyikthen then fell 2-3 to the Scot, setting up a final against Polychronidis with McCowan storming to a 4-2 victory:

Jamie McCowan storms to a gold with Mum and ramp assistant, Linda

“I’m delighted with my performance. After three tournaments where I didn’t make the podium, I was determined to get back to winning ways. I had to dig deep in big moments and this result provides confidence for the rest of the season.

“After the Rio World Cup, my Mum and I changed equipment and tactics and there’s no better feeling than when you execute your plan and achieve the result you were aiming for.”

In emotional scenes, Reshad Saraj – a firm fixture on the domestic boccia circuit – won bronze in what is only his second international tournament for Boccia UK.

The BC2 player from Pinner in London said:

“It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at times. But I held my nerve when it mattered to grab the bronze and I’m so pleased to have achieved it. A lot of hard work went into this and I’ll remember the experience for a long time.”

Saraj was defeated in his first match but made a brilliant comeback claiming victory in his two remaining pool matches. Through the knock-out stages and into the bronze medal matches, Saraj kept his composure and overcame Czech Republic’s Frantisek Petrak 4-0.

Reshad Saraj celebrates bronze with Boccia UK coach Claire Morrison

And at just 17 years old, Sally Kidson impressed by finishing fourth in the women’s BC3 competition. The Salisbury talent said:

“I’m really happy to have finished fourth in my first-ever international competition. Of course, I’m gutted to have been so close to a medal but this gives me a great platform to improve on for next time.”

It was also the first time that Ayrshire’s Kayleigh Haggo had represented Boccia UK. The multiple world record holder in the sport of frame-running didn’t reach the knock-out stages but put in some strong performances including a tiebreak victory:

“Just to be selected was a massive achievement and to win my first match on a tiebreak was so exciting. I still have so much to learn and I’m looking forward to getting back into training and playing at more competitions.”

Bognor Regis Paralympian Louis Saunders – who won silver at the Challenger event in Veldhoven earlier this month – reached the quarter-finals but was edged out by Hungary’s Laszlo Hegedus who went on to claim the bronze.