Tokyo Paralympics: Leung Yuk-wing seals boccia bronze against China’s higher-ranked Zheng Yuansen

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Hong Kong's Leung Yuk-wing in his Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games mixed individual BC4 bronze medal play-off game at the Tokyo Gymnastics Centre in Japan in August. Photos: Hong Kong Paralympic Committee

Published: 10:42am, 1 Sep 2021Updated: 10:21pm, 1 Sep 2021

Hong Kong secured its second Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games medal thanks to legendary boccia bowler Leung Yuk-wing’s win on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old beat world No 4 Zheng Yuansen of China 5-4 in the boccia mixed individual BC4 bronze medal match after a dramatic last-play point at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre.

Leung did not waste any time, taking an early four-point lead in the first end but Zheng clawed back with two points in both the second and third to bring it level going into the fourth. Despite skewing two throws, Leung saved his most accurate one for last to seal the win.

The bronze is Leung’s fourth individual Paralympic medal having won gold at the Rio 2016 Games, silver in Beijing 2008, and gold in Athens 2004.

Hong Kong's Leung Yuk-wing in his Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games mixed individual BC4 bronze medal play-off game at the Tokyo Gymnastics Centre. Photo: Hong Kong Paralympic Committee

“Actually ahead of the bronze medal match, I was feeling really calm. Getting four points in the first end would usually help relax me, but probably because I haven’t played in a while, I got a bit nervous in the second and third ends,” Leung said.