South African Boccia stars claim Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in Cairo
Boccia (pronounced ‘Bot-cha’)is split into four classes, BC1-4 and is a game designed specifically for athletes with a disability affecting locomotor function.
- Thominic von Schlicht
- Elanza Jordaan
- South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD)
Some South African Boccia players at the 2025 World Boccia Africa Regional Championships. Picture: SASAPD/ Facebook.
JOHANNESBURG – The South African Boccia team scooped up four medals at the World Boccia Africa Regional Championships.
The championships are happening in Cairo from 29 July - 3 August.
Boccia (pronounced ‘Bot-cha’) is split into four classes, BC1-4 and is a game designed specifically for athletes with a disability affecting locomotor function.
On Friday, Thominic von Schlicht made his mark at the championships after a 5-year absence by being crowned African champion in the BC4 Male Singles division and booking his place at the 2026 World Boccia Championships.
South African Boccia player Thominic von Schlicht crowned African champion at the 2025 World Boccia Africa Regional Championships. Picture: SASAPD/ Facebook.
BC4 refers to a classification for athletes with severe physical disabilities (non-cerebral palsy) that impact their muscle power, range of movement, or limb deficiency, preventing them from throwing the ball with sufficient control.
Paralympian Elanza Jordaan and ramp assistant Sandrè Jordaan scooped a bronze medal in the BC3 Female Singles.
BC3 class athletes have significant limitations in arm and leg functions, and poor or no trunk control. They are unable to consistently grasp or release the ball and propel it onto the field of play, and are allowed to use a ramp with the help of a sports assistant.
South African Boccia player Elanza Jordaan won a Bronze medal at the 2025 World Boccia Africa Regional Championships. Picture: SASAPD/ Facebook.
On Thursday, South Africa earned double silver with Naledi Nhlapo in the women’s BC4 Singles and Samuel Tshilunga in the Men’s BC1 Singles, collecting the silverware.
Boccia is a Paralympic sport introduced in 1984 when 19 athletes represented five different countries.
Now, Boccia is practised in more than 75 countries worldwide, and it has no Olympic counterpart.
READ MORE:
SA Boccia athletes make history as they qualify for their first Paralympics
Morapedi, Jordaan and Dakin off to Rio for World Boccia World Championships
South African Boccia player Naledi Nhlapo won a silver medal at the 2025 World Boccia Africa Regional Championships. Picture: SASAPD/ Facebook.
HOW IS BOCCIA PLAYED?
Athletes throw, kick or use a ramp to propel a ball onto the court with the aim of getting closest to a "jack" ball.
The sport is played indoors on a court similar in size to a badminton court.
The aim of the game is to get closer to the jack than your opponent. The jack ball is white and is thrown first.
One side has six red balls and the other has six blue balls.
The balls are leather containing plastic granules so they don't bounce but will still roll.
The side whose ball is not closest to the jack throws until they get a ball closest or until they run out of balls.
Once all the balls have been thrown, one side receives points for every ball they have closer to the jack than their opponent's closest ball.
South African Boccia player Samuel Tshilunga won a silver medal at the 2025 World Boccia Africa Regional Championships. Picture: SASAPD/ Facebook.
TEAM SA at World Boccia Africa Regional Championships:
Samuel Tshilunga – BC1M
Tshibangu Consolate Tshilunga – BC1 Assistant
Seipati Majoe – BC1F
Deliwe Banti – BC1 Assistant
Brett Russel Dakin – BC2M
Liakath Aziz – BC2M
Tywhineesha Recqueline Stoffels – BC2 F
Karabo Morapedi – BC3M
Vincent Ramochela – Ramp Operator
Elanza Jordaan – BC3F
Sandré Jordaan – Ramp operator
Sheena Hwami – BC3F
Annah Moichela – Ramp operator
Thominic von Schlicht – BC4M
Naledi Nhlapo – BC4F