World Boccia Championships: Claire Taggart named in Great Britain's squad

The two-time Paralympian, who is a tournament favourite, currently occupies the world number two spot of the women’s BC2 rankings. She has impressed on the World Cup circuit this year, claiming two gold medals in Povoa after winning the individual BC2 event and the Team event with David Smith and Will Hipwell.

The east Antrim woman retained her title of BC2 UK Boccia Champion this month in Swansea. In the first ever all female BC2 final, Claire stormed to victory with a 6-2 win.

This will be the first time in the history of World Boccia Championships that women will play in a separate individual competition to the men.

Claire said: “I am delighted to retain my title of UK Boccia BC2 Champion, especially as it is an event close to my heart and where I was first spotted by Boccia UK back in 2014. The hard work will continue though, as I am now training to compete at the World Boccia Championships.

"I won my first ever World Cup medal earlier this year and am really looking forward to having another opportunity to compete on the world stage in the biggest event of the boccia calendar outside of the Paralympic Games.

“Previously, I would have played against the men but World Boccia at the back end of last year introduced separate individual competitions for men and women.

"I’m really hoping this will drive participation among women and girls in the sport. It’s an exciting prospect because we now have more medal opportunities as a team.”

Disability Sport NI Boccia Performance Pathway Officer Terry Conroy added: “It has been a very successful year for Claire and it is great to see such a strong female representative from Northern Ireland on the World stage.

“Everyone involved in boccia in Northern Ireland will all look forward to cheering Claire on as she progresses to the World Boccia Championships, making history competing in the first ever female only competitions.”