The athletes

David Smith MBE

BC1

Instagram:

@smithy2389

Twitter:

@bocciasmithy

David is the 11 times National Champion (2004-2015) and 15 times British Champion. Soon after picking up his first British title he was called up to the England and wales squad, making his international debut later the same year.

David is heading to his 4th Paralympic Games. He made is debut in Beijing, 2008, picking up a Gold in the BC1/2 Team. 4 years later in London 2012, David picked up his first individual Paralympic medal with a Silver in the BC1 competition and a Bronze in the BC1/2 Team. Rio saw David go one better in the individual competition picking up a Gold in the BC1 competition.

Q and A with David Smith — Boccia UK

Evie Edwards

BC4

Tokyo will be Evie's 2nd Paralympic Games following her debut in Rio 2016 where she narrowly missed out on a medal with the BC4 pair finishing in 4th place.

On her journey to becoming a Paralympian, Evie competed for her in Lords Taverners U19's Schools competition, where in 2012 her school medaled at the National finals. Later that year, Evie attended the Youth Sport Trust's inaugural National Young Coaches Academy. Evie, then became National Champion in 2015.

Louis Saunders

BC4

Instagram:

@louissaundersboccia

Louis was introduced to boccia at school by his teacher Miss Webb where he instantly fell in love with the sport and has never stopped playing since. The school had a long standing history with boccia. Louis looked to continue their success at schools competitions, representing the South East at the Lords Taverners U19's National Finals on 4 occasions and the team picking up the title in 2015, 2017, and 2018. In addition to he schools success in 2017, Louis was also crowned National Champion for the first time.

In 2015 Louis attended the Youth Sport Trust's National Talent Camp where he was awarded the National Young Athletes Award.

Louis will be making his Paralympic debut at the games in Tokyo.

Beth Moulam

BC3

Instagram:

@bocciabethchristie

Twitter:

@beth_moulam

Beth's sporting dream of becoming a Paralympian started in 2000 after watching Caroline Baird cross the line to win gold in the 400m. At the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Beth's dream will come a reality as she makes her Paralympic debut along with her Sport Assistant Christie.

Since the age of 10, Beth has been been playing boccia, attending the Lords Taverners  U19's competitions. Along with her team from the South East, came away from the 2012 competition with a medal. Later in 2012, Beth also attended the Youth Sport Trust's inaugural National Young Coaches Academy.

More recently, Beth has had success in the National Boccia League with Jorvik Boccia, qualifying from the National League into the Super League.

Will Hipwell

BC2

Instagram:

@hipwellcufc

Will is going to be making his Paralympic debut at the games in Tokyo.

Not only has Will competed in the regional and national individual competitions, he has also successfully competed with a team as part of the National Boccia League where his team medaled at both the 2012 and 2014 National Finals.

Throughout Will's boccia career, he has been balancing the demands of training, competing and full time employment as an IT technician.

Q and A with Will Hipwell — Boccia UK