“We’ll Keep On Going And Aiming High”
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermuda boccia coaches Troy Farnsworth and Larry Hunt believe Yushae DeSilva-Andrade’s heroic performances at the Paralympic Games in Paris could ignite a spark in the island’s next generation of para-athletes.
DeSilva-Andrade, competing in the women’s BC1 division, came heartbreakingly close to securing a medal, finishing fourth after a nail-biting 3-2 tie-break defeat to France’s Aurélie Aubert in the semi-finals yesterday [September 1].
With the score at 2-1 in DeSilva-Andrade’s favour heading into the fourth and final set, the match came down to the smallest of margins—a tie-break decided by mere millimetres.
Aubert, cheered on by the home crowd, won the first French gold medal in boccia today.
Farnsworth praised DeSilva-Andrade for putting Bermuda “on the map” in boccia and believes she can build on her outstanding showing at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
“It’s been a long road since she started playing in 2012,” he told Bernews. “Her progression has been fantastic, and she was really unlucky in the semi-final, losing by millimetres.
“Hopefully, she can inspire the next generation of para-athletes in Bermuda. There’s plenty to work on and we’ll keep on going and aiming high.”
Meanwhile, Hunt believes DeSilva-Andrade proved she is among the best players in the world and could achieve even more if Boccia Bermuda received more funding.
“To finish fourth is no mean feat,” Hunt said. “Yushae’s up against players from much bigger countries with much more financial support.
“We don’t have any proper facilities in Bermuda where she can train. We train at WindReach, Sandys [Secondary Middle School], West End Primary School and BHS.
“Some of these boccia programmes receive millions of dollars in funding yet Yushae’s right up there with them!
“If she could have a bit more funding, she could be the best player in the world.”
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It is for these reasons I have followed Yushae.
Our small community training facilities or the limited funding for non traditional sports I claim you are a champion.
Your love of this game has taken you to many countries were you have shined on the highest level. Your commitment inspires me to overcome any obstacles faced.
You found your place and worked to be the best