Disabled brothers on Paralympic dream
FROM the outside, the dice would appear loaded against the McGuire brothers.
Each confined to a wheelchair with an incurable degenerative condition, they could have been forgiven for living on handouts.
But their incredible drive and ambition – and the attitude that makes them so unique – have made them Paralympians.
Positive, determined and with a wickedly dry wit, their commentary on life as it unfolds is irrepressible.
And it is matched only by their desire to win a medal at the Paralympics – a goal that has come about by deliberate planning and strategy on Stephen McGuire’s part, encompassing his big brother Peter, 29, along the way.
“When I left school, I decided I wanted to be a Paralympian. I researched it to figure out what sports I would have to do to get me there, ” said Stephen, 27. “I came across table tennis, swimming and a sport called boccia, which I had never heard of.
A taste of Paralympic sports for youngsters
John Wolfe, senior sport co-ordinator at Bolton Lads and Girls Club, said: “With the London 2012 Games over, Boccia and New Age Kurling gave us the perfect opportunity to teach 14 young people two key Paralympic sports.
“Everyone had a lot of fun, learnt new skills and were given a glimpse into the Paralympic sports we will see over the coming weeks on our TVs.”
via A taste of Paralympic sports for youngsters (From The Bolton News).
Profile of Ali Lalani, 2007 World Cup Boccia Champion
Hopeful of being able to compete in London in 2012 after he narrowly missed out on a place at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, Boccia World Cup gold medallist Ali Lalani (< more info) discussed his sport, his inspirations, and his future aspirations with Zahid Lalani.
via The Ismaili: World Cup boccia champion determined to represent his country at the Paralympics.
What it takes to become a Boccia champion
Residents can enjoy the magnificent surroundings of the House of Commons in aid of Tadworth-based charity The Children’s Trust this autumn.
Guest speaker Ali Lalani, 2007 World Cup Boccia Champion and vice-president of The Children’s Trust, will be talking about what it takes to become a champion plus his experience working with the Boccia competition management team for the London 2012 Paralympics.
via Parliament trip on offer by children’s charity (From Your Local Guardian).
Introducing Padraic Moran, the Bray boccia baby!
Padraic Moran is heading into his second Paralympics games in a few week’s time, but he still can’t pull rank in the team!
He’s still the self-styled Boccia baby, though this Boccia baby has a World Championship to his name from 2010.
Padraic, who has celebral palsy, has backed Ireland’s team to inspire a nation in the London Games, which begin in two week’s time.
The 49 athletes and 48 support staff set off for Portugal this morning for a warm weather training camp ahead of the games. Last night they were at Bewleys Hotel for their send off. Along with well over a thousand well-wishers and The Sawdoctors.
Padraic told Alan Keane that he can’t wait to see the Irish support that awaits them in London.
What is boccia, you might ask?
Let Padraic explain.
via [Paralympic Profile] Introducing Padraic Moran, the Bray boccia baby! – Newstalk.ie.
The fun isn’t over yet – Boccia Player Profiles
Johnny Cronin
Hailing from Mallow, Johnny Cronin has competed in every major championship in his chosen sport, Boccia, since 1997. Boccia is a precision sport where athletes require a wheelchair where the aim of the game is to throw a ball a close as they can to a target. Johnny, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, won gold at Sydney 2000 and he competes in both singles and doubles championships although he will be appearing in the individual only at this years games. No stranger to big wins, Johnny has also won various medal at World Championships including silver at the 2006 World Cup in Brazil.
Tom Leahy
One of the most experienced Irish athletes at this year’s Paralympics, Tom will be competing in his eighth games having appeared at every games since 1984. Tom, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, will be appearing in the mixed individual Boccia event as well as the mixed team event. Highlights in Tom’s career this far include a silver medal at Atlanta 1996 and he then went one better and won gold at Sydney 2000 in the discus event.
Charity backs Boccia player for Paralympics
Five disabled athletes, including one from Grimsby, are preparing to compete in the Paralympic Games after receiving specialist equipment from a national charity.
Javelin thrower Hollie Arnold, 100m and 200m runner Jamie Carter, discus thrower Kieran Tcherniawsky, wheelchair fencer Justine Moore; and boccia player Jessica Hunter will take part in the Games from August 29.
Boccia player Jessica, 20, from Middlesex, studied at Treloar College in Hampshire, and won gold in the BC3 Pairs at the London 2012 Test Event.
The team were selected to represent Team GB after receiving specialist support from Caudwell Children’s Enable Sports service
via Charity backs Paralympic athletes – News – Bourne Local.
London 2012 Paralympics: a historic homecoming for disabled sport
The 2012 Olympics have already been described as “happy and glorious” by International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and those sentiments will apply equally to the Paralympics, which get under way on Aug 29 and should provide the perfect ending to a remarkable summer festival of sport.
via London 2012 Paralympics: a historic homecoming for disabled sport – Telegraph.
Austin Hanson wins 22nd boccia national title
Topeka boccia player Austin Hanson continued his dominance on the national level this past weekend, winning gold in singles and pairs competition at the boccia National Championships.
via Topeka’s Austin Hanson wins 22nd boccia national title | CJOnline.com.
Caversham Olympics: Boccia Tournament
The Boccia tournament, as part of The Caversham Games, was hosted by The Hill Primary on Thursday, July 5, 2012. The seven schools which had entered the tournament arrived to glorious sunshine (something that had not happened for many of the other events that week). The day was a huge success; it was the experience of a lifetime to film and report.
Boccia is a relatively unknown sport. It is similar to bowls in that you have to roll a jack ball and then each team takes it in turns to roll their coloured ball to try to get close to the jack. You have to be careful to not roll the ball out, otherwise it won’t count.
via Caversham Olympics: Boccias – Education – News – getreading – Reading Post.
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