Boccia Duo Top Pool In Mixed Pairs But Tough Quarters Await ...
Fresh from winning Australia’s first ever silver medals in the BC3 individual events, boccia duo Daniel Michel and Jamieson Leeson have teamed up in the mixed pairs on Tuesday winning two from two in the pool stages.
The duo topped their pool after winning both matches 5-2 against home side France and Japan.
Coming into the Paralympics ranked No.1 in the world, Michel and Leeson will be hoping to carry the momentum they’ve built over the last five days as they prepare for a tough quarter-final on Wednesday against the Republic of Korea.
Leeson said they have had mixed results against Republic of Korea but are ready for the challenge.
“It’s great we have topped our pool, but unfortunately, the top seed of the second pool didn’t top their pool. So a tough game going up against South Korea tomorrow in the quarter-final,” she said.
“I know we can do it, it’s going to be a great game no matter what.”
Michel will be out for revenge when he lines up in the quarter-final, with Howon Jeong defeating him to take the gold medal in the individual match.
But he said he and Leeson will take a lot of confidence from their pool matches and individual games heading into the do-or-die quarter-finals.
“We’re playing well, I think we’re improving as we’re going, I’m really encouraged by what we’re doing so far,” Michel said.
“I think if we can maintain this trajectory, we’ll have a great match tomorrow. Our opponents [Republic of Korea] haven’t played that well today, but I’m sure they’ll bring their best tomorrow, so we’ll be ready for it.
“We’ve had plenty of experience on these courts now and in boccia, that’s everything. We’ve played plenty of balls out there, got a good feel for what’s going on and I think we’ll use that to our advantage in the quarter finals,” he said.
Australia will take on Republic of South Korea in the quarter-finals on Wednesday at 1:40pm (9.40pm AEST), with the winner progressing to the semi-final at 8:10pm (4.10am AEST).
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By: Lauren Ryan, Paralympics Australia
Published: 3 September 2024
