“I was really nervous", Britain’s best ever boccia player ahead of Paralympics match
David Smith OBE, based in Swansea, is looking for his fourth Paralympic gold medal in Paris and his third individual title.
David Smith OBE – Britain’s best ever boccia player – is looking for his fourth Paralympic gold medal in Paris and his third individual title.
Paris 2024 marks his 5 consecutive Paralympics games.
David currently has: Gold in Beijing 2008, silver and bronze in London 2012, gold in Rio 2016 and gold in Tokyo 2020.
He beat Brazilian player, Jose De Oliveira , 5-2 in the first pool match on the 29th of August.
In an interview, David admitted to some nerves:
“I was really nervous going into the game and I think it showed in the first couple of ends.
"Luckily, I played well but then I relaxed after the first couple of ends and when I relax, the difference in power – my power gauge - goes through the roof.
“It’s a pool of three and I don’t know what’s going to happen against the other two so it’s massively important to get this win."
The Paris 2024 Paralympics has 22 Welsh athletes competing as part of Paralympics GB.
Last time around, at Tokyo 2020, 21 Welsh athletes brought home an impressive 14 medals.
Boccia (pronounced 'Bot-cha') is a Paralympic sport introduced in 1984.
Athletes throw, kick or use a ramp to propel a ball onto the court with the aim of getting closest to a 'jack' ball.
It is designed specifically for athletes with a disability affecting locomotor function
It is played indoors on a court similar in size to a badminton court.
David will plat Dutch competitor Daniel Perez on Saturday 31st of August.
When asked how he's feeling in the lead up to the match, David said:
"So I've played him a lot. He's beaten me. I've beaten him.
"We've got a lot of respect for each other. He's a good player.
"I know I need to beat him, but I've got to be clinical.
"If I waste too many balls, he then uses it to his advantage and get them building like he did in the third end.
"But if I'm clinical, I can beat him well. But he keeps the score quite tight as well, so it doesn't let me get away.
"I've got to manage my energy, stay up for the whole game, I can't just run ahead and take my foot off the gas.
"He's a sticky player. I have to be patient with him. Perfect.