New Delhi, 18 August (H.S.):

Indian para-athlete Sachin Chamaria delivered an impressive performance at the Cairo 2026 World Boccia Challenger, winning a silver medal in the BC3 Pairs event and a bronze medal in the BC3 Individual competition.

In the Pairs event, Chamaria partnered with Sarita Dwivedi. With these two medals, Chamaria has further strengthened his record on the international boccia circuit. He is currently ranked World No. 20 in the BC3 category and is also a six-time national boccia champion. Since making his competitive boccia debut in 2021, he has represented India at several major international competitions.

Reflecting on his performance, Chamaria said, “Whenever I wear the Indian jersey, I carry with me the hopes of everyone who has believed in me throughout this journey. I am deeply grateful to the president, secretary-general and the entire team of the Boccia Sports Federation of India for giving me the opportunity to represent India and for believing in my abilities. Winning a bronze and a silver medal in Cairo, Egypt, is extremely special to me, but what matters even more is that Indian boccia continues to progress. I hope these performances inspire more athletes with disabilities to take up the sport and help increase awareness and opportunities for boccia in India.”

New Chapter Awaits at Seoul World Championships

Chamaria’s next challenge will be the 2026 World Boccia Championships, scheduled to be held in Seoul from August 24 to September 4. He will become the first Indian BC3 player to qualify for the World Championships on merit. The achievement marks an important milestone not only in his individual career but also for Indian boccia.

What Is Boccia?

Boccia is a Paralympic precision sport designed for athletes with severe physical disabilities. Players attempt to place their coloured balls as close as possible to a white target ball known as the “jack”. The sport demands a high degree of precision, strategy and tactical decision-making.

Ramp and Assistant Support in BC3 Category

Chamaria competes in the BC3 category, one of the four sport classes in boccia. Athletes in this class have severe physical impairments that affect their movement and coordination.

Players use an assistive ramp to deliver the ball and are accompanied by a sport assistant. The assistant positions the ramp according to the athlete’s instructions, while the athlete independently determines the direction of the ball, the shot and the overall strategy.

Life Changed at 17, Boccia Opened a New Path

Chamaria took up boccia in 2021 at the age of 17 after suffering a spinal cord injury. Following several years of rehabilitation, he completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Shri Ram College of Commerce and pursued a career in entrepreneurship before returning to competitive sport.

Since taking up boccia, Chamaria has represented India at international competitions in Egypt, Canada, Australia, Bahrain, Italy, Poland, Dubai and Thailand. He has also competed at the Asian Para Games.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar