Paralympics is my dream
Steph to target Tokyo games after world title defence bid
Boccia world champion Steph Mcguire will decide his Paralympics future after attempting to defend his World Championship title in Liverpool next year.
But the 32-year-old Hamilton man admits he would love to be in Tokyo in 2020 and the Paralympics is the only medal he hasn’t yet won in a glittering 12-year career.
Boccia UK last week won the bid to stage the 2018 World Championships at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool from August 9-19 and Steph can’t wait.
He said: “I think I might go for Paralympics again. The World Championships is a big draw and for it to be in Britain is amazing – I want to attend and try to defend my title.
“It’s incredible that it’s on home soil and I will be able to judge from there if the Paralympics is a realistic possibility.
“Tokyo would be outstanding; I think they will run it well, it will be futuristic, and I’ve heard that it will be the warmest ever Paralympic Games, and that’s something I would like to experience.
“There are still accomplishments for me to achieve in boccia. Everybody wanted to know what was next after Rio and the World Championships is my draw.
“If I do well in that we’ll see what happens, but the Paralympics is the only medal I haven’t won, so I would like to go for it.
“I love the Paralympics, and I always will. It’s huge for me and if there is a possibility I want to do it. Even better than being at the Paralympics is being part of something bigger in Team GB and there is no greater privilege.”
The World Championships being held in Liverpool is a massive boost for Steph. It means he can more easily transport his gear and kit, and a back-up wheelchair, while not suffering from the jet lag he experienced in Brazil last year.
He also has a number of family members and friends on Merseyside who will be able to see him perform for the first time.
Steph said: “Not many people ever defend a World Championship title as it’s the toughest to win in boccia, but that is my aim and I will do everything I can do to win it, especially on home soil.
“At least a third of my family are down there and I know the city well. A lot of them haven’t ever seen me compete, so they will be able to do so on their own doorstep.
“It will be good for me too, because I won’t have to travel far, there will be no jet lag, and I know that all the gear and kit will arrive in one piece!”
In his first competition back, Stephen took gold in BC4 individual and pairs competitions at the European Regional Open in San Cugat, Barcelona, last month.
He said: “It was the first ranking competition of a new Olympics cycle. For the first time ever I won gold in singles and as a pair, and it’s amazing that firsts can still happen after 12 years!”