After making his international boccia debut at the Manama 2024 World Boccia Challenger, Paralympic sailor-turned-boccia athlete Jovin Tan has finally found medal success in the sport, striking gold in the individual male BC1 event at the Nov 3-11 Canberra World Boccia Challenger.
Tan, who last competed in sailing at the 2016 Paralympic Games, switched to boccia in 2022 after sailing was dropped from the Paralympics.
“This victory means a lot to me, but I see it as just the beginning of my boccia journey. There’s still so much more to learn, to grow, and to achieve,” Tan said of his breakthrough.
In the Australian capital, he dominated the field, with three consecutive pool stage whitewashes, dispatching New Zealand’s Matthew Whiting (15-0), Japan’s Masaki Kanno (11-0), and home hope Dylan Schwarz (10-1).
In the semifinals, Tan narrowly edged Chinese Taipei’s Liu Chia-Sheng 4-3 before a comfortable 9-0 triumph over Mongolia’s Munkhdemberel Togootogtokh in the decider.
“I am truly happy and grateful for this win,” said Tan. “It wouldn’t have been possible without my coaches, family, caregiver, employers, and the Singapore Disability Sports Council. This gold medal is not just mine — it’s a team effort. But I see this as just the beginning of my boccia journey.”
The gold comes as a timely confidence boost for Tan, who will make his major games debut in the sport at the Jan 20-26 ASEAN Para Games in Thailand.
Also joining him in Thailand is Aloysius Gan, who took silver in the individual male BC3 event in Canberra.
Gan progressed to the knockout stages, topping the group with a 17-point difference over two pool stage wins and set up a tantalising final with reigning world No. 1 and home hope Daniel Michel after a 7-1 win over India’s Ayeja Raj. But Gan eventually fell to the unbeaten Australian 5-1 in the decider.
The 19-year-old also joined forces with Elaine Eng for the pairs BC3 event, where they missed out on the podium after falling to Spain 3-7 in the bronze medal match.
The pair will look to January’s Games for another shot at silverware and will be joined by Paralympic medallist Jeralyn Tan, Asian Para Games medallist Nurulasyiqah Mohd Taha and ASEAN Para Games medallist Toh Sze Ning.
