gold to Zendron at the World Boccia Challenger

Paralympic boccia, it’s gold for Gabriele Zendron at the “World Boccia Challenger”

Paralympic boccia, it’s gold for Gabriele Zendron at the “World Boccia Challenger”

April 15, 2024
15 Apr 2024

Rome – Historic result for the Italian Paralympic bowls: in Zagreb, Italy won the gold medal at the World Bowl Challenger with Gabriele Zendron in the men’s BC3. The Trentino triumphed thanks to the success in the final over the Austrian Michael Kiefler with a score of 9-0.

After reaching the quarterfinals, the Italian overcame the Slovakian Boris Klohna 8-0 and, in the semi-final, the Czech Adam Peska 6-2.

For Zendron, born in 2002, this is a new extraordinary result after the individual and team silvers at the 2022 EPYG.

Nothing to do for Mirco Garavaglia and Giulia Marchisio in the men’s and women’s BC3. Garavaglia exited in the quarterfinals at the hands of the Czech Adam Peska (6-2), while Marchisio was forced to withdraw due to illness in the match against the Portuguese Ana Sofia Costa. Stop also for Riccardo Zanella, in the BC1 category. Not even Claudia Targa and Andrea Loredan (BC2) managed to qualify for the final round.

“The results in Zagreb confirmed that our Azzurri can compete on equal terms with the strongest in the world. Gabriele and Giulia obtained first and fourth place respectively. Well, so, in general, in the BC3 category; we are sorry – continued De Sanctis – that the ambitious goal of Paris 2024 has vanished for the moment, above all because our Federation needs an image and the Olympics, whether able-bodied or disabled, are the showcase that a complete Federation like this is missing from getting the consideration it deserves. There is still a possibility, I don’t know if remote or not, that they could fish out one of our Italian players via wild card. If it’s not Paris we will try to qualify for Los Angeles 2028″, commented FIB number one, Marco Giunio De Sanctis.