Boccia UK travelled to the European Regional Open in Nymburk, with a mixture of experienced and improving players as part of their preparations for the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020. As ever, a strong Scottish presence was included, and Scottish Disability Sport is delighted with the progress of our high performance players.
The competition included events for Team and Pairs, as well as Individual and the selected Scots put in some very strong performances:
- Scott McCowan (BC3)
- Patrick Wilson (BC3)
- Stephen McGuire (BC4)
McCowan relished the opportunity to compete at this level once again, following several events where he has been overlooked for selection. He made his mark in emphatic style by winning double gold in both the Individual and Pairs competitions. It was McCowan’s first individual gold medal at international level and what a time to make a statement.
Wilson didn’t make it to the knockout rounds in the individual competition but did clinch a gold medal in the Pairs event, alongside Scott McCowan and Beth Moulan. With Jamie McCowan and Jess Hunter (ENG) left out of this event, the BC3 pair is looking very strong ahead of next year’s showpiece.
In the BC4 events, Stephen McGuire was back to his imperious best as he scooped individual gold and pairs gold, alongside Evie Edwards (ENG) and Louis Saunders (ENG). McGuire, who captains the BC4 group is targeting his third successive Paralympic Games.
The 2019 Nymburk Boccia Regional Open provided unprecedented success for Boccia UK, as they delivered all seven Gold medals available in the competition, as well as one bronze medal.