In a huge upset at the Boccia UK Challenger Event in Scotland, Reshad Saraj has beaten the current BC1 Paralympic Champion, David Smith 6-5, wining three of the four ends to claim victory.

David Smith is widely considered to be the greatest Boccia player of all time. Since the young age of 14 David Smith has dominated the sport. He retained his BC1 Paralympic title at the Tokyo games last year in a thrilling final.

Reshad’s ultimate goal of course is to be playing alongside David Smith in the GB Squad at the next Paralympics so the pressure was on Reshad to make be at the top of his game.

In true PACE Boccia fashion Reshad was going to do it the hard way – coming back from a 5-0 deficit in the last three ends to win. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise in the end as Reshad left his inhibitions and fears behind him in the first end.

Reshad gained a crucial foothold and platform to build upon in the match in the second end – securing one point. He still needed four points to tie the match, and that’s exactly what he did in the third end. Reshad shocked everyone by scoring a massive 4/6 points to tie the match, (you can score a maximum of 6 points per end.)  

The work however was far from over as Reshad still needed a point to win, and we often see countless stories from the annuals of sport is getting over the final hurdle after a great comeback is usually the hardest.

Reshad  managed to jump that metaphorical hurdle, showing great composure and character to complete the comeback and win the game 6-5.

The win is a testament to Reshad’s passion and commitment to want to be  the best and this victory is another step towards that goal. Congratulations, a well deserved, hard-fought victory against the Paralympic Champion.