Finishing off the first weekend of the 42nd Défi sportif AlterGo in style, multiple Québec athletes filled the podium of the National Boccia competition at Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard. Meanwhile, at Howie-Morenz Arena, Team Canada’s Blind Hockey team won the final game of the International Series.
A beautiful day for National Boccia!
Sunday, at Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard, Boccia’s elite athletes took part in their last match. The day came to a close with an awards ceremony where numerous Québec athletes were rewarded for their skill, including Iulian Ciobanu, 2024 Défi sportif AlterGo’s athlete ambassador, who today took silver in the BC4 class.
Ciobanu was edged out of the top spot by a friendly face – teammate Alison Levine. For gold medallist Levine, the Défi sportif AlterGo is an evergreen great opportunity to take part in boccia competitions – whether national or international.
“We were happy to be several BC4s in the competition this year. It’s good to see the next generation, the future of the sport,” noted Levine, who remained unbeaten after 3 days of competition.
“I didn’t think I’d manage to play an unbeaten tournament,” added Levine, who has just returned from Chile. While in Chile she won 2 Challenger medals, but experienced a host of ups and downs on the way home. “I came here lacking some confidence, but to end up playing well is reassuring. I always like to come and play here, at the Défi sportif AlterGo”, concluded the player who has taken part in practically every edition of the Defi in various sports since the mid-2000s.
International Blind Hockey Series ends on a perfect note for Team Canada
Even if their victory had been confirmed yesterday, after winning the second of three games on the International Sound Hockey Series program, Team Canada keep up its momentum Sunday at Howie-Morenz Arena. The team made it three for three, and today’s game ended with a score of 11-0.
It was yet another fantastic triumph for the national team, and its two players from Québec – Thomas Raymond and Bruno Haché. The latter duo were playing in this major tournament for the first time ever in their home province.
School competitions officially begin tomorrow!
Monday, the Défi sportif AlterGo will welcome over 800 students from 45 schools as the event turns some of its focus to school competitions. This group – the future of parasport – will be the first to march under the guard of honor at the inaugural opening ceremony of the week, where Isabelle Charest, Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation and Outdoors, is expected to attend.
The Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard will doubtless be host to many great moments, as these young athletes target excellence in 8 disciplines.
Also on Monday, but at the Centre des glaces Gilles-Chabot, the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championships will at last get underway. The sport is making its much anticipated return to the Défi sportif AlterGo for the first time since 2019. Don’t miss any of these exciting events!
