Boccia player Wei Lun delivers Malaysia's second Paralympics silver
Published on: Wednesday, September 01, 2021
By: Bernama
Chew Wei Lun’s medal helped Malaysia raise its silver medal collection to two at the Tokyo Paralympics. (Bernama pic)
TOKYO: National boccia athlete, Chew Wei Lun won silver in the final of the mixed individual BC1 (physical impairment) category at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, today.
Wei Lun, who made history by becoming the first Malaysian athlete to compete in the sport of boccia on the Paralympic stage, lost to the defending champion from Rio 2016, David Smith of Great Britain, 2-4, in the final at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre.
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The 26-year-old, who is making his Paralympic debut, got off to a good start when he led the world number one 2-0 in the first end before Smith closed the gap to 2-1 in the second end.
Smith then equalised to 2-2 in the third end before confirming the gold when winning the fourth end with a 4-2 result.
Smith’s victory saw him end Wei Lun’s unbeaten run. The Malaysian had won six games in a row, including four group B fixtures since Saturday.
The achievement of the player ranked 11th in the world helped Malaysia raise its silver medal collection to two, after powerlifting athlete Jong Yee Khie bagged the first in the men’s 107kg category on Monday.
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Sarawakian powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who competed in the men’s 72kg category, emerged as the first national athlete to win the country’s first medal, a gold, last Saturday in the prestigious games.
Meanwhile, Brazilian Jose Carlos Chagas de Oliveira won the bronze after beating Portuguese Andre Ramos, 8-2, in the bronze medal playoff this morning.
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