The Boccia Asia-Oceania Regional Championships that concluded last week in Seoul, South Korea, turned out to be a big success for Asian stars as the top-ranked athletes and teams secured slots for their nation at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Thailand boccia players domination in the competition was on full display, while Hong Kong also were among the mix earning four slots for Tokyo 2020 Games.
In the BC1/BC2 team event, Thailand overpowered South Korea 12-1 thanks to the efforts of Witsanu Huadpradit, Natthawut Deemak, Subin Tipmanee, Worawut Saengampa, and Watcharaphon Vongsa.
The gold medal earned Thailand a coveted spot at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Thailand celebrated another Paralympic spot in the BC2 category as Worawut Saengampa jumped out to an early lead and held on to win gold with a 5-3 win over Japan’s Hidetaka Sugimura.
Hong Kong were among the winners too and they earned four spots thanks to a solid performance from Yuen Kei Ho in the BC3 final, when he defeated Junyup Kim of South Korea 7-3.
Meanwhile, Yuk Wing Leung kept the cheering going for Hong Kong defeating China’s Ximei Lin 6-3 to capture gold in the BC4 category.
There was more joy in the Hong Kong camp on the last day of competition when Yuen Kei Ho, Wing Tung Liu and Tak Wah Tse defeated Japan 5-2 to take gold and a place in Tokyo in the BC3 pairs event.
It all came down to nerves as Hong Kong’s Yuk Wing Leung, Kwan Hang Wong, and Wai Yan Vivian Lau needed a tie-break to claim gold in the BC4 pairs final against Thailand. The game was tied 3-3 after regulation but Hong Kong found the shot they needed when it mattered.
Earlier in the competition, there was celebration for the home fans in the final of the BC1 category with Youngjin Roh defeating his countryman Sungjoon Jung 7-2 to earn South Korea a place in Tokyo.
