David Smith (boccia)

David Smith and his Boccia medals with his coach Sarah Nolan, (Left) at Our Greatest Team Parade

David Smith

Medal record
Representing  Great Britain
Boccia
Paralympic Games
	2008 Beijing	Team BC1-2
	2016 Rio	Individual BC1
	2012 London	Individual BC1
	2012 London	Team BC1-2
World Competitions
	2007 Vancouver	Individual BC1
	2007 Vancouver	Team BC1-2
	2014 Beijing	Individual BC1
	2006 Rio	Team BC1-2
	2011 Belfast	Team BC1-2
	2014 Beijing	Team BC1-2
	2016 Beijing	Individual BC1
European Competitions
	2009 Porto	Individual BC1
	2011 Hamar	Individual BC1
	2013 Porto	Individual BC1
	2013 Porto	Team BC1-2
	2015 Guildford	Team BC1-2
	2009 Porto	Team BC1-2
	2006 Rio	Team BC1-2
	2011 Belfast	Team BC1-2
	2014 Beijing	Team BC1-2
	2016 Beijing	Individual BC1

David Smith (born 2 March 1989 in Eastleigh) is a Paralympian who was on the British boccia team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Paralympics. He competed for Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Paralympics^[1] and did so winning Bronze in the Team BC1–2.^[2] and Silver in the BC1 individual event watched by a packed arena. David competed for Paralympics GB for a third time in Rio where he won Gold in the individual BC1 event for the first time in his career. In doing so, David has become the joint most successful British Boccia player in history.

David first played Boccia aged 6 at Cedar School, Southampton. However he really developed his talent for Boccia at Treloars School and College in Alton, Hampshire. He became the youngest ever player to win the British Championships at the age of 14 and went on to be crowned World Champion at the age of 18.

In addition to the Paralympics, David has had lots of success in both the Individual and Team events during his career. In individual BC1 competitions, David’s achievements include winning the Gold at the 2014 World Championships in Beijing, gold at the 2013 European Championships in Porto, gold medal at the 2011 Europa Cup in Hamar, Norway, the gold medal at the 2009 European Championships in Porto and the gold medal at the 2007 World Cup in Vancouver, Canada. He has also remained unbeaten at annual English Nationals and GB Championships since 2004 clocking up a record 13 British and 11 National titles.

In Mixed BC1-2 Team competitions, David has won the Gold medal at the 2015 European Championships in Guildford, bronze at the 2014 World Championships in Beijing, gold at the 2013 European Championships in Porto, bronze at the 2011 World Cup in Belfast, silver at the 2009 European Championships in Porto, and Gold at the 2007 World Cup in Vancouver, bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro and Silver at the 2005 European Championships, Porto.

"I have evolved as a player and changed everything to a varying degree. I owe my success in the last 8 years to Sarah my assistant who has taken time to understand me and push me to my potential. I'm really excited to see whether I can complete the job in Tokyo and become the most success British Boccia player and see if that MBE comes my way!"

David is currently based at Swansea where, after completing his degree studying Aerospace Engineering at Swansea university, he is living with his partner Barbara and training full-time. David made two appearances on the Last Leg which he performed his trademark "doughnut" in his wheelchair. He has a passion for aircraft with a particular interest in World War II aircraft. He is an active member of the local Green party, a strong advocate of independent living for the disabled and a critic of successive governments cuts to spending on social care. He is also a drummer in his spare time as well as a keen driver and advocate of the motability scheme. David's car is heavily adapted to enable him to drive independently across the country. David is a Patron of his former School, Treloars in Alton. David was selected to go on Dreamflight in 2003 and since then has been a regular supporter and visitor to events in successive years. ^[3]

He was Given the Freedom of the Borough of Eastleigh in 2013. ^[4]

References

1. IPC bio
2. "GB boccia team clinch Bronze medal". BBC Sport. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
3. Channel 4 Profile
4. https://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/the-council/mayor-of-eastleigh/freedom-of-the-borough.aspx