Hometown hero Steph McGuire is returning home from the Paralympics as the pride of Hamilton after the boccia player struck gold in Paris.
Steph triumphed in the sport’s BC4 individual final with an outstanding 8-5 win over Colombian opponent Edilson Chica Chica to claim the only medal missing from his vast collection of international accolades after a 20-year career in the sport.
He told Lanarkshire Live he is “absolutely buzzing” to claim boccia’s biggest prize in his fourth Paralympic Games, and huge celebrations are in store as he returns home following yesterday’s closing ceremony – with a glittering extra item in his luggage.
Speaking shortly after his win, Steph said: “This is a dream come true. I’ve achieved every single gold medal possible, which is quite a thing to say, and it feels a bit like boccia is complete at the moment!
“This was the medal that was missing and I feel like I’ve kept trying until I achieved my dream; I’m buzzing to get over the line.”
Steph was awarded a bipartite place at the Paralympics after a nightmare year with injury, but now his win at the South Paris arena has not only completed his medal collection in his fourth Games but has also returned the 40-year-old to the world number one spot.
His long-awaited triumph, after three fourth-place finishes in London and Rio, was the 26th of Paralympics GB’s 49 gold medals at the games – and it was a family affair as older brother Peter, who he introduced to the sport, provided the co-commentary on the live Channel Four coverage of the final.
The Paralympic champion said: “It feels like I was given a lifeline, a wild card; I only found out on July 1 that I would be going to Paris, so I wanted to embrace it and show what I can do as I knew I was playing well.
“It has been a 20-year journey, one of perseverance, to keep trying until you achieve your dream, and I feel like I’ve done that.
“Everybody who knows my journey knows that I’ve had three fourth places – the semi-final has always been the crunch point for me, so when I got over that hurdle in Paris the final just sort of flowed.
“I knew I was guaranteed a silver and just played with freedom. I played the game and not the occasion, just gave it everything with no regrets, and luckily it paid off.”
“Peter commentating was great and getting the medal was extremely emotional. [Coach] Jacqueline Lynn, who introduced me to boccia, was there at that moment I won the gold medal, so it was just the most amazing day.”
Steph, who will be attending Paralympics GB’s homecoming celebration this week, added: “The response has been amazing and very positive.
“I’m very privileged and honoured, and I’m looking forward relaxing and celebrating with friends and family when I come home.”
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