Youngjin Roh and Yongjin Lee clinched the gold medals in BC1 and BC2 events as South Korea dominated the Individual Finals at the 6th Fazza BISFed 2019 Boccia Dubai Regional Open Championships.
They finished their Individual campaign with five medals including two gold at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai.
There was more joy in the camp as Seongyuk Jang settled for silver in BC4 final while Yejin
Choi and Hyeon Seok Seo claimed the bronze in BC3 and BC4 events.
In a dramatic BC1 final, Roh, a rookie and Seoul Regional Championships gold medallist, rallied from behind to beat Indonesia’s 17-year-old Muhamad Syafa 4-3, amid cheers from the handful of supporters.
Trailing 1-3 until the last minute, the Korean got his final throw closest to the target- Jack- to beat Syafa. Malaysia’s Chew Wei Lun took the bronze winning 3-2 over Dohyun Kim.
In BC2 final, Lee stormed to a 5-1 win over Indonesian Felix Ardi Yudha to take the top honour.
Said Korea Team Manager Gwangtaek Im: “This is the last competition for 2020 Tokyo Paralympics quota. We have already got BC1/2 Team and BC3 quota. This the first competition which Korean National Team and Korean Regional Team together. So, it’s meaningful competition for us.”
Ximei Lin claimed the only gold for China on the day, emerging the winner in BC4 final overcoming a fighting Jang 4 -2. Korea’s Seok Seo took the bronze with a 3-2 win over Hong Kong’s Yuen Cheung.
Dream debut for Indonesia
For Indonesia who are participating here for the first time, it was nothing less than a dream debut with two of their players – Muhamad Syafa and Felix Ardi Yudha – making the finals of BC1 and BC2 events. However, both finished in second places.
Muhammad Bintang Satria Herlangga claimed the bronze for Indonesia beating Hong Kong’s 5-3.
Indonesia coach Islahuzzaman later said this championship was more about gaining experience for his players. “Our main target is Paris 2024. Next year, we have the ASEAN Para Games which will be a good competition.”
BC3 Gold- Silver for Australia
The BC3 final was an all-Australian affair with Daniel Michel overcoming compatriot 3-2 Spencer Cotie for the title.
Team manager Kristy Tannebring said more than the ranking points, the Championship was important in terms of the team’s preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
“We are hoping that our BC3 team qualify for the Tokyo 2020. They are doing good this season and also here. It’s exciting that the BC3 final is competed by our players. Daniel has been very consistent while Spencer has great potential.”
“The sport in Australia is getting bigger and we also have support from various government organization and Australian Paralympic Committee,” she added.
The bronze medal was claimed by South Korea’s Yejin Choi who beat fellow player Jong Ho Kwon 5-1 in the 3/4th place play-off.
Later in the day, the BC1-BC2 Team, BC3 Pairs and BC4 Pairs events got underway with the Pool matches.
