Paris 2024 Flash Quotes: Boccia

Comments from ParalympicsGB’s boccia players after the evening session.

Kayleigh Haggo

Result: Lost 3-1 to Jeong Soyeong of South Korea in women’s BC2 Pool C. Plays Portugal’s Ana Correira in her next match on Friday (12:50 CET)

Age: 25

Hometown: Ayr

Performance:

“I played so well in that game. It was a really, really good game. She’s a very good player and I’m happy with how I played. Hopefully I can play like that again tomorrow and see what happens.”

Claire Taggart

Result: Beat Ecuador’s Joselyn Leon 10-1 in women’s BC2 Pool A. Plays Portugal’s Cristina Goncalves on Friday (20:30 CET)

Age: 29

Hometown: Larne

On the result:

“I’m pretty buzzing. I’ve been to three Paralympics and not won an individual match. I didn’t play an individual match in Rio and lost all three in Tokyo so to get my first win over the line is a nice little settler and hopefully a sign of things to come, I’m really excited for the rest of the competition.”

On the support in the stands:

“Confidence isn’t something I possess a lot of but hopefully I can get keep getting into that flow and keep going. I’m playing late tomorrow night and it’s been amazing to see Team Taggart in the stands. I’m really pleased my Mum didn’t put my face on a t-shirt but I approve of Team Taggart.”

Stephen McGuire

Result: Beat Abdul Razzaq Abdul Rahman of Malaysia 8-0 in men’s BC4 Pool C. Plays Ukraine’s Artem Kolinko on Friday (10:30 CET)

Age: 40

Hometown: Hamilton

On the result:

“I’m delighted. It’s a tough pool, Abdul has been in great form this year and won a few gold medals. I know it’s going to be tough, every game is going to be a battle so I’m glad I was able to win every end.”

On the support:

“It’s great to have the crowds back and being so close to home I have family here. My goddaughter is here which is wonderful.

“For me, having my friends and family here means everything. I want to compete in the Paralympics but I want to do it with a crowd so it’s great to have everyone back.” 

Sally Kidson

Result: Beat Brazil’s Evelyn Oliveira 5-1 in BC3 Pool C. Plays Australia’s Jamieson Leeson on Friday (14:00 CET).

Age: 19

Hometown: Salisbury

On the result:

“I’m absolutely buzzing, it means a lot to win against an opponent of that calibre and twice as much to do it at a Paralympics.

“I have to keep myself level as in a pool of four, one win means nothing. To beat one of the top seeds is fantastic but I still have to come back tomorrow and the day after that to get out the group. But I’m absolutely thrilled, Evelyn is world-class, she absolutely battered me a month ago. To turn it around like that means a lot.”