David Smith (boccia)

David Smith and his Boccia medals with his coach Sarah Nolan, (Left) at Our Greatest Team Parade

David Smith (born 2 March 1989 in Eastleigh) is a Paralympian who was on the British boccia team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Paralympics. He competed for Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Paralympics[1] and did so winning Bronze in the Team BC1–2.[2] and Silver in the BC1 individual event watched by a packed arena. In addition to the Paralympics he won double gold at the 2007 World Cup, Individual gold at 2009 European championships, individual gold at the 2011 Europa Cup, and was on the bronze winning team at the 2011 World Cup. He has cerebral palsy spastic quadrapledia and is in the BC1 class for Boccia.

David first played Boccia aged 6 at Cedar School, Southampton. However he really developed his talent for Boccia at Treloars School and College in Alton, Hampshire. He became the youngest ever player to win the British Championships at the age of 14 and went on to be crowned World Champion at the age of 18.

In individual competition, David’s achievements include winning the Individual BC1 gold medal at the 2011 Europa Cup in Hamar, Norway, the Individual BC1 gold medal at the 2009 European Championships in Porto, Portugal and the Individual BC1 gold medal at the 2007 World Cup in Vancouver, Canada. He has also remained unbeaten at English Nationals and GB Championships since 2004.

In Team events, David has won the bronze medal at the 2011 World Cup in Belfast, Northern Ireland, silver medal at the 2009 European Championships in Porto, Portugal, bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and first place at the 2007 World Cup, Vancouver, Canada.

"I have evolved as a player and changed everything to a varying degree. I'm really excited to see whether these changes work and I can complete my unfinished business from Beijing."

David is currently based at Swansea University where he is studying Aerospace Engineering, with a particular interest in World War II aircraft.[3]

He was Given the Freedom of the Borough of Eastleigh in 2013. [4]


References

  1. ↑ IPC bio
  2. ↑ "GB boccia team clinch Bronze medal". BBC Sport. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Channel 4 Profile
  4. ↑ https://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/the-council/mayor-of-eastleigh/freedom-of-the-borough.aspx


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