DAVID Smith, a Treloar patron and Paralympic alumni, has been crowned BC1 world boccia champion in Liverpool.

The world number one stole the show to take an emphatic victory on home courts, overcoming China’s Kai Sun 7-2 in the final to win his third individual world title – 11 years on from his first.

David believes the tough matches actually worked in his favour as the competition developed – simply revelling in an experience he hopes others around the world can learn from.

David said: “It means everything to win, the crowd has been awesome and I’ve really enjoyed it. The layout has been spectacular, this is how Boccia should be done and I hope the rest of the world take note.

“We’ve loved it and it’s been superb, the hotel and the venue are both great and the courts are quite cool as well. I’ve been in top form which helps, I’ve had a few shaky moments along the way which helped me for the final.

“It was just a nice game to be in and now I’m very happy – now it’s onwards to Tokyo.”

Boccia UK performance director Helen Nicholls added: “It is fantastic to see David deliver what he is capable of and take the world title, especially under the pressure and with the significance of performing in front of a home crowd.

“The tournament has been highly, highly competitive so far with brutal matches in the knock out rounds where the athletes had bring their A game from the very first ball.”

David is a former Treloar’s student and now one of our most motivational patrons.He studied aerospace engineering at Swansea University on leaving Treloar’s.

He holds the record for being the youngest British boccia champion - a title he achieved at the age of 14.