Paris 2024: David Smith says “Boccia gods were playing with me” in shock defeat

David Smith, a boccia star, has faced an unexpected setback at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Known for his two consecutive gold medals in the men’s individual BC1 tournament, Smith failed to secure a podium finish this year. His bid for a third consecutive title was thwarted by a surprise defeat in the semifinals and a later loss in the consolation match.

Smith, who has been a dominant force in boccia, lost 4-3 to South Korea’s Jung Sungjoon in the semifinals. He then fell 5-3 to Paralympic newcomer Muhamad Syafa of Indonesia on September 1. This marked the first time since Beijing 2008 that Smith did not medal in the individual event.

“If I didn’t laugh, I would cry,” Smith joked with journalists after the matches. He admitted that while he expected to lose eventually, the timing was disappointing. “It’s just that the boccia gods were playing with me,” he said.

Smith, who sported his trademark blue and red hair from Tokyo 2020, acknowledged that the level of competition has increased significantly over the years. “When I won gold in Rio, there were maybe one or two serious contenders. But now, I’m clinging to the world number one spot with fierce competition on all sides,” he explained.

Despite winning all three of his preliminary stage games at the South Paris Arena 1, Smith felt he reached his peak performance early in the tournament. “I gave myself the best possible chance, but I ran out of gas,” he said.

In the semifinals, Smith surrendered a three-point lead, allowing Jung Sungjoon to win. Later, he lost his lead to Syafa, partly due to an unfavorable playing surface. “The floor didn’t help. It just doesn’t suit my game,” Smith noted.

Smith still has one event left in Paris. He will compete in the mixed team BC1/BC2 event with Claire Taggart from September 3 to 5. “We’ve got a good team and a good chance,” he said, although he added with a smile, “I’m not going to predict the team anymore because my predictions have been rubbish.”

In other boccia results, Portugal’s Cristina Goncalves won gold in the inaugural women’s individual BC2 event, defeating South Korea’s Jeong Soyeong 4-1. Japan’s Hiromi Ando earned bronze. In the men’s tournament, Thailand’s Worawut Saengampa claimed gold, with Indonesia’s Muhammad Bintang Herlangga taking silver, and Thailand’s Watcharaphon Vongsa winning bronze.

Despite the challenges, Smith remains optimistic and determined to finish strong in his final event.