Claire Taggart Secures Silver and Bronze Medals at Sevilla European Regional Championships

Claire Taggart continued her rich vein of form this year by picking up a silver medal in the Individual Games and a Bronze medal in the Team Games at the 2019 Sevilla European Regional Championships. This brings the recently crowned UK Champion’s International and European medals to six this year.

Following the finals Claire Taggart says, “It has been a great year for me to date, having secured six medals so far at European and International events as well as the UK Championship and NI League Team and Individual titles. 

“Securing Silver in the Individual Games and Bronze in the Team Games at the Sevilla European Regional Championships has given me a real boost for this incredibly important year ahead. 

“I am thoroughly enjoying this year but still have some tough competitions ahead and am completely focused on securing a place in Tokyo 2020.”

In a successful 2019, Claire has so far secured Gold in the Team Games and Silver in the Individuals at the European Regional Open in Zagreb and became the first person from Northern Ireland to medal at a European Open whilst securing her own first ever medal at a BISfed event. Claire then went on to double medal again at the Czech International Open, securing a Silver in the Team Games and Bronze in the Individuals.

In this crucial year ahead of the Paralympics, Claire will compete in a number of qualifying matches including the European Regional Open later this month and the World Open in October/November.

Terry Conroy, Boccia Performance Pathway Officer at Disability Sport NI says, “Claire continued her great form so far in 2019 and put in a series of great performances this week to become the first Northern Ireland athlete to medal at a European Championship. 

“Claire really showed what she is capable of on the International stage and it’s a great start to her Paralympic qualifying.”

In 2016, Claire Taggart became the first ever Boccia athlete from Northern Ireland to compete in the Paralympic Games. All eyes will now be on Claire this year as she fights for a place in Tokyo 2020.