Sunday, November 19th, 2023.- Boccia’s group stage matches continue at the Centro Deportivo Comunitario de Lo Espejo. The first match of the day took place around noon between Mexican Dubier Paredes and Chilean Javier Bastías, ending in a close 3-2 victory for the North American. This encounter belongs to the BC2 category, which includes athletes with arm and hand capabilities that often allow them to throw the ball over and under the head with various grips. 

Simultaneously, matches were played in the BC4 male category, with notable victories for Colombian Euclides Grisales (11-0 against Argentine Facundo Bulacio), Canadian Marco Dispaltro (3-2 against Brazilian André Martins), and Colombian Edilson Chica (6-4 against Chilean Leonel Arellano). 

Another highlighted match was between Canadian Iulian Ciubanu and Mexican Edgar Mora, which had to be decided in a tiebreaker. A single point was enough for the representative of Team Canada to secure the victory after the 2-2 draw. It's worth mentioning that the BC4 category includes players with non-cerebral impairments that also affect their coordination. 

Regarding the BC3 male matches, Brazilian Matheus Rodrígues (9-0 against Canadian Ryan Rondeau), Colombian Jesús Romero (10-0 against Guatemalan Neri Tay), and Peruvian Dean Acosta (5-4 against Chilean Cristóbal Aranda) emerged victorious. 

A new tiebreaker occurred in the duel between Rodrigo Romero from Argentina and Raúl López from Mexico. After tying at four points in the regulation phase, they had to resort to the tiebreaker, where Romero won by a one-point difference. 

In the BC3 category, competitors have significant limitations in arm and leg functions and poor or no trunk control. They are unable to consistently grasp or release the ball and cannot consistently propel the ball on the playing field. They are allowed to use a ramp with the assistance of a sports assistant. 

Finally, a single match was registered in the BC4 female category, with Mexican Karla Manuel Henríquez emerging victorious by 11-0 against Panamanian Teresa Urriola. 

Written by Catalina Gamboa; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Javier Valdés / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport