Michel battles to bronze

DAN Michel has won a bronze medal for Australia in boccia at the Tokyo Paralympics.

The 25-year-old beat Britain’s Scott Mccowan 6-1 in the bronze medal playoff to make up for the frustration of missing a place in the final by a single point.

Michel became just the second Aussie, and the first since Atlanta 1996 to win a Paralympic medal in boccia, a sport that is similar to bowls and is usually played by athletes with high levels of impairment, competing in wheelchairs.

Michel, who has spinal muscular atrophy, took up the sport in 2015 and has quickly risen through the ranks to the pinnacle of the sport.

“I’m excited with it. The first medal for Australia in 25 years. First ever individual medal, so it’s a massive achievement,” Michel said.

“I’m super happy to respond from the adversity yesterday with the tough game. To come through in that fashion was really important to me. I’m happy I was able to pull it out.”

Australia had won 57 medals in Tokyo by 6.30pm on Wednesday but more were expected, with Dylan Alcott and Heath Davidson teaming up in the wheelchair tennis quads gold medal match and assured of a silver at least.