Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Boccia National Team has made history by winning the overall title at the 2026 World Boccia Championship in Seoul, South Korea, which ran from August 24 to September 4.

"The points we earned from this tournament are substantial, equivalent to those at the Paralympics Games," Indonesian Boccia Coach Islahuzzaman Nuryadin said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Monday.

Indonesia secured the overall title after winning three gold medals and one silver.

The gold medals were won by Handayani in the women's BC1 category, Muhammad Afrizal Syafa in the men's BC1 category, and the BC1/BC2 mixed team represented by Afrizal Syafa, Felix Ardi Yudha, and Gischa Zayana.

Meanwhile, Felix Ardi Yudha secured the silver medal in the men's BC2 category.

The team outperformed Thailand, which won two golds and two silvers, and Hong Kong, which secured one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes.

Nuryadin expressed pride in the athletes' performance, saying the squad played with confidence and maintained their consistency, following earlier victories at level-two tournaments in Kazakhstan and Portugal.

He described the result as an extraordinary achievement, as this was the first time Indonesia qualified for the World Boccia Championship.

Nuryadin added that the medal tally in Seoul aligned with initial projections, including its assessment of the opponents they faced.

"We were able to dominate in the men's and women's BC1 categories, as well as the BC2 category in the team event. This outcome matched our expectations," he said.

He emphasized that the team's strong performance at the World Boccia Championship was crucial because the tournament's importance is on par with the Paralympics.

"The points we achieved in this championship are vital to secure our qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics," he said.

According to Nuryadin, the women's BC1 event was a key focus, with Handayani serving as the main hope to secure crucial ranking points to pave the way to the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

"At the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games, Handayani did not have a ranking yet. This year, we pursued it through the world championship, consistently securing podium finishes, and she ultimately maintained her strong performance," he noted.

Following the Seoul championship, the coaching team is now focused on the upcoming 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, scheduled for October 18–24.

Pewarta: Aloysius Lewokeda, Raka Adji
Editor : Vicki Febrianto
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