Ottawa, ON (April 28, 2025) — The Claude-Robillard Sports Complex was buzzing with energy this week as the 2025 Défi sportif AlterGo National Open brought together Canada’s top boccia athletes for an unforgettable tournament filled with fierce battles, dramatic finishes, and the emergence of a promising new generation of athletes.
In the highly competitive BC3 field, Josh Gautier (Niagara Falls, ON) delivered a masterful performance to capture gold. The Boccia Canada Espoir Team member was determined to build on last year’s bronze medal performance, and he did just that. Gautier was seeded first in a tough Group A, adapted swiftly to the floor conditions and carried his momentum to the finals, where he defeated Alex Lemaire (Kingsey Falls, QC) in a commanding 10-0 victory.
“When you first get here, you get used to the floor, and I was able to adapt well to the field of play,” said Gautier. “It all worked out. I’m looking forward to defending the title next year!”
Meanwhile, the BC3 bronze medal match had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Recent Boccia Canada Espoir Team additions Fatima Zahra Abderrahmane (Montréal, QC) and Carter Plumb (Brampton, ON), engaged in an electric battle that went to overtime. Zahra Abderrahmane initially led 4-0 before Plumb stormed back with a dramatic four-point end to level the score. In overtime, Zahra Abderrahmane displayed incredible patience and precision, rolling a decisive ball past a maze of others to secure a win and her spot on the podium.
“I’m surprised at the level of play,” said Plumb afterward. “Fatima played a really solid game. I’m learning how to better cope with my emotions in these settings — today was a great test.”
Throughout the event, Défi sportif AlterGo showcased not only rising stars but also enduring rivalries. In the BC1 class, Lance Cryderman (Val Caron, ON) defended his title against longtime opponent Hanif Mawji (Burnaby, BC). The two athletes’ history of tightly contested matches have become a highlight at national events. Cryderman found a way past the decorated Mawji to claim gold, while Hamilton’s Kyle Scott earned bronze, impressing many with his consistent sportsmanship and encouragement toward his peers.
The BC2 division saw another familiar rivalry unfold, as the Québec City “Oliviers” Roy and Dussault battled for gold. This time, Roy edged out Dussault, continuing their back-and-forth history. Danik Allard (Bois-des-Filion, QC) captured bronze, capping another strong tournament.
In BC4, the court was packed with Paralympic firepower as three 2024 Paris Paralympians battled it out. Alison Levine (Montréal, QC) demonstrated why she’s considered one of the top athletes in the world, going undefeated to secure gold. Teammates Iulian Ciobanu and Marco Dispaltro, both of Montréal, rounded out the podium, taking silver and bronze, respectively.
The BC5 class brought a reshaped competitive landscape after recent classification adjustments. Ariane Dubuc (Montréal, QC) seized the opportunity, winning gold and dethroning longtime standout Marc-Antoine Goupil (Honfleur, QC). Mégane Ravary (Montréal, QC) provided one of the most emotional moments of the tournament, celebrating her bronze medal after an intense 5-3 battle against Goupil.
Finally, in the Open class, Richard Brochu (Montréal, QC) continued his quiet reign at Défi sportif AlterGo, humbly adding another gold medal to his lengthy list of achievements, while Nancie Caldwell (Montréal, QC) and Ariane Soulard (Montréal, QC) took silver and bronze.
As the 2025 Défi sportif AlterGo National Open concludes, one thing is clear: the heart, precision, and passion displayed by both veterans and newcomers.
As Theresa McLeod (Moncton, NB), put it: “a memorable part of boccia is the community that’s here. It’s fabulous meeting new people but also seeing familiar faces from November [at my first Canadian Championships]. A huge part of this sport experience is the enjoyment and we don’t want to lose that… Overall the ethos that I’m getting here, is that we appreciate the competition on the court but we also all want to be lifted up together, as a collective.”
RESULTS
*Note: individual play only
BC1
Gold – Lance Cryderman
Silver – Hanif Mawji
Bronze – Kyle Scott
BC2
Gold – Olivier Roy
Silver – Olivier Dussault
Bronze – Danik Allard
BC3
Gold – Josh Gautier
Silver – Alex Lemaire
Bronze – Fatima Zahra Abderrahmane
BC4
Gold – Alison Levine
Silver – Iulian Ciobanu
Bronze – Marco Dispaltro
BC5
Gold – Ariane Dubuc
Silver – Marc-Antoine Goupil
Bronze – Mégane Ravary
Open
Gold – Richard Brochu
Silver – Nancie Caldwell
Bronze – Ariane Soulard
About Boccia Canada
Boccia Canada is the boccia delivery arm of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA), the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of boccia. Boccia Canada is focused on providing athletes and individuals of all ages and skill with the chance to play a unique Paralympic sport. CCPSA leads, develops and grows boccia from grassroots to producing World Champions, and we collaborate with partners to increase participation of Canadians with physical disabilities in sport.
About boccia
Boccia is a Paralympic sport of precision and strategy similar to lawn bowling or curling, played by athletes with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, and related disabilities. It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart. Athletes compete in one of six sport classes based on their level and type of disability: BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4, BC5, and Open. For more information on boccia, visit www.bocciacanada.ca.
Media Contacts:
Holly Janna
Communications Lead and National Team Coordinator
Boccia Canada
hjanna@bocciacanada.ca | 514-944-5193