Landmark Day as Boccia duo make Aussie Paralympic history 

Australia’s boccia duo Dan Michel and Jamieson Leeson – two NSW Institute of Sport scholarship athletes – are both through to the individual gold medal playoffs off in boccia, creating Australian history in the sport. 

Previously the best result at the Paralympic Games was a bronze medal, with Michel and Leeson already surpassing that result. Leeson also becomes the first Australian female boccia player to be going home with a medal. 

Michel came into the 2024 Paralympic Games a favourite for the gold in the men’s BC3 individual, heading into Monday’s final undefeated. 
 
“It’s pretty surreal at the moment. Can’t believe I will be at a gold medal match at the Paralympic Games. It’s crazy,” he said. 
 
“It’s what I was hoping to do coming here. I’ve been in great form. I’ve prepared really well for this event. I feel like I’ve done everything right. I was really keen to get to the final. I have done that, so hopefully, we can make it a gold tomorrow.” 

Michel was equally thrilled for his teammate Leeson, who he will team up with in the BC3 mixed pairs in two days’ time. 

“It’s massive. We did this two years ago at the world championships. Both Jamieson and I made the final (in the BC3 men’s and women’s individual events). Now here we are, two years later, at the Paralympic Games, both in the final again. It’s incredible,” he said. 
 
“It speaks volumes about our preparation, what we’ve been able to do over the last few years. 

“Jam’s come such a long way as well. So for us to both be in the final, it’s amazing for Australian boccia.” 

Competing at her second Paralympic Games, Leeson is thrilled to be playing for the gold medal. 

“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet that I’m going to be going home with a medal,” she said. “Super pumped and super proud of my performances throughout the whole competition. 

“We’ll see what happens tomorrow (in the final), but I’m so proud that I’ll be the first woman in the Australian Paralympic team to ever win a boccia medal.” 

When asked about her role model in the sport, Leeson couldn’t go past her teammate. 

“Dan has been an incredible supporter of me since the beginning. We’ve been playing the pairs together since I began my journey. 

“In my first few international competitions, I wasn’t very good, but he was there, and he’s helped me develop just as much as my coach. I wouldn’t be here today without him for sure.” 

Lauren Ryan, Paralympics Australia