Brazil off to good start in Paralympic boccia worlds

The World Paralympics Boccia Championship started Tuesday (Dec. 6). Brazil boasted a good performance in the main competition of the sport in the Paris 2024 cycle, which gathers more than 170 athletes from 40 countries and is held at the Olympic Park in Barra da Tijuca, Western Rio.

The highlight of the Brazilian team was Evelyn Oliveira, who overcame South Africa’s Elanza Jordaan in the BC3 class by 18–0. This class is disputed by athletes with severe disabilities and who can use an assistive device and receive assistance from another person.

“I was very happy to have started the world championships after such a long journey. There’s nothing more rewarding than having a debut like this, with a consistent victory, with ease in the four sections. I’m happy with the result and I hope to keep up the same performance in the rest of the championship,” Evelyn told the representatives from the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) website.

José Carlos beat Japanese Takumi Nakamura by 11–1 in the BC1 class (for athletes who can play with the hands or feet and have the option of an assistant). Maciel, from Ceará, debuted in his seventh world championship by beating South Korea’s Minkyu Kwak by 8–1 in the BC2 class (for athletes who do not receive assistance). Also in men’s, but in the BC3 class, Mateus Carvalho, from Minas Gerais, beat Egyptian Abdelrahman Saad by 9–0.

The world boccia championship will be played until next Tuesday (13). The event is broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the National Association of Sports for the Disabled (Ande).