Nine-strong ParalympicsGB boccia squad announced for Tokyo 2020

Reigning Paralympic and world champion David Smith has today been named in ParalympicGB’s Boccia squad set to compete at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games this summer.

Smith heads up a talented team of nine athletes and will be aiming to add to his incredible haul of four medals from across three Games. He jointly holds the title of Britain’s most decorated boccia player with the now retired Nigel Murray:

“I’m not thinking too much about the joint record. I’m more interested in playing well and winning. I could surpass the joint record by winning a bronze but my focus is on the gold,” said Smith.

“It’s crazy to think that this will be my fourth Games and I’m still only 32. That’s exciting because there’s still a lot more to come.”

Smith will be joined by five returning Paralympians: Claire Taggart, brothers Jamie McCowan and Scott McCowan, Evie Edwards and Stephen McGuire.

Set to make their Paralympic debut in Tokyo are Beth Moulam, Will Hipwell and Louis Saunders who, at 19 years old, is the squad’s youngest player:

Saunders said: “I got the selection call while I was at The Angmering School for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. That meant so much to me because it’s where I was first introduced to boccia. It was lovely to share the news with my family who have been so supportive. They even let me turn the lounge into a mini boccia court during lockdown. They can’t wait to support me and the team from home this summer.”

Set to make their Paralympic debut in Tokyo are Beth Moulam, Will Hipwell and Louis Saunders who, at 19 years old, is the squad’s youngest player:

Saunders said: “I got the selection call while I was at The Angmering School for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. That meant so much to me because it’s where I was first introduced to boccia. It was lovely to share the news with my family who have been so supportive. They even let me turn the lounge into a mini boccia court during lockdown. They can’t wait to support me and the team from home this summer.”

Helen Nicholls, Boccia UK’s Performance Director, said:

“The build up to this Paralympic Games has thrown our athletes and the support team so many challenges but they have responded with resilience and determination. In this squad, we have experienced, established athletes as well as three players who will be making their first-ever Paralympic appearance. With less than 50 days to go until the Tokyo 2020 Games, our preparations are on track and we’ll be ready to take on the world’s best boccia players.”

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, said: “I’m so pleased to be able to welcome our boccia squad to the ParalympicsGB team bound for Tokyo in less than 50 days’ time. The squad boasts a superb mix of experienced Paralympians and Games debutants who I believe will make the nation proud with their performances in Japan this summer.

“All nine athletes have shown terrific strength and resolve since the start of the COVID pandemic last year and I look forward to seeing just what they can achieve on the boccia court at Tokyo 2020 this summer.”