Murray wins boccia silver

Nigel Murray had to be satisfied with silver after losing his BC2 individual boccia final in Beijing this afternoon to Karen Hoi Ying Kwok.

Murray had high hopes of regaining his gold after he made history as Britain's first ever boccia individual gold medallist in 2000. But his Hong Kong opponent came from 3-1 down to win the final 5-3.

"It feels like I have lost the gold rather than won the silver," said Murray.

"It was a fantastic start, I couldn't wish for a better start. But then I made an error I wasn't expecting to make on my own jack.”

The 44-year-old from Leamington Spa gained a 3-1 lead but 2007 world silver medallist Kwok put in some good throws in the third end to make it 4-3. A tactical round in the final end ensured the young Hong Kong player took gold.

“Normally I hit the ball straight away but I was trying to put it down straight away rather than relaxing,” said Murray. "I'll look back after a couple of days and be pleased with silver.”

To reach the gold medal match Murray beat Argentina’s Pablo Cortez 4-1 in the semi-final this morning.

He also missed out on an individual medal in 2004 but will return to action in the boccia team event which begins tomorrow (day four, 10 September).