By Graham Thomas
The countdown is on for the Seoul 2026 World Boccia Championships.
World Boccia have announced their initial list of qualified athletes for the tournament – taking place between August 24 to September 4 – which already suggests a continuation of the drama and quality seen at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
With many of the sport’s leading medal winners confirmed among the qualifiers, Seoul is set to host a championship featuring established champions, emerging forces and renewed international rivalries.
South Korea, as hosts, will field teams and pairs across all classifications and also boast a strong individual presence.
Paris gold medallist Jeong Ho-won (Pic: Raquel Gouveia) is expected to be a central figure once again after qualifying in the men’s BC3 class, while Kang Sun-hee and Jeong So-yeong ensure depth on the women’s side.
Backed by home support and recent Paralympic success, South Korea will be one of the nations under the most scrutiny.
Hong Kong will arrive in Seoul as one of the most formidable nations competing. Men’s BC1 Paralympic champion John Loung will be among the headline acts of the championships, while Ho Yuen Kei continues to anchor Hong Kong’s strength in BC3.
With qualification also secured in BC3 and BC4 pairs, Hong Kong’s balance across individual and partnership events will make them strong contenders for multiple medals.
China look equally well positioned. Lin Ximei, who won women’s BC4 gold in Paris, is qualified and expected to be a major attraction in Seoul.
China have also secured qualification through world rankings in team and pair events.
Their BC1/BC2 team, already proven on the biggest stage, will again be one of the favourites.
Thailand’s presence will be keenly felt, led by Worawut Saengampa, the reigning men’s BC2 Paralympic champion.
He has qualified alongside fellow Thai athletes across pair categories, highlighting Thailand’s growing consistency in both individual and combined formats.
Indonesia also feature prominently among the qualified athletes and teams.
Muhamad Afrizal Syafa, bronze medallist in men’s BC1 in Paris, is among those set to compete, while Gischa Zayana’s qualification in women’s BC2 strengthens Indonesia’s challenge.
Their qualification in team competition underlines Indonesia’s ability to compete across formats.
Europe will be led by several familiar names.
France’s Aurélie Aubert, the women’s BC1 Paralympic champion – whose face lit up the closing ceremony in Paris in pictures beamed around the world – has qualified and will be one of the stars of the individual competition.
Great Britain’s challenge centres on Stephen McGuire, who claimed gold in men’s BC4 in Paris and remains one of the most tactically assured players in the sport.
Triple individual champion David Smith – who won in 2007, 2014 and 2018 – will also be back to try and recapture his world crown at BC1.
European champion Sally Kidson will feature at BC3, while Britain have also qualified through world rankings in team events, giving them multiple avenues for success.
Portugal, Greece and Hungary add further depth to the European contingent.
Cristina Gonçalves’ absence is notable after her Paris gold, but she could still fit a world ranking compensation slot, which are added in May, whilst Portugal’s represention through team and pair qualification places offers another route. José Gonçalves and Carla Oliveira carry their individual hopes.
Greece’s Grigorios Polychronidis, still one of the sport’s most experienced competitors, ensures Europe’s competitive edge in BC3 remains sharp.
From the Americas, Brazil stand out with multiple qualified athletes, including José Carlos Chagas in men’s BC1 and Mateus Carvalho in men’s BC3.
Colombia will again look to the Chica family for inspiration, with Leidy Chica qualified in women’s BC4 following her Paris bronze, and Colombia also present in BC4 pairs.
Argentina’s qualification through world rankings in BC3 pairs adds another South American contender capable of challenging the established powers.
Africa and the Middle East will also have a meaningful presence. Egypt, in particular, have qualified athletes across several classes, including Tasneem Goda and Rahma Fayed, continuing their steady rise in international boccia.
Saudi Arabia and Tunisia add further representation, highlighting the sport’s expanding global footprint.
With Paris medal winners such as John Loung, Ho Yuen Kei, Stephen McGuire, Lin Ximei and Worawut Saengampa all confirmed for Seoul, the World Championships promise elite-level competition from the opening rounds.
