London Para athlete brings home bronze medal from national Boccia Ball championship

If a sport or activity isn't competitive, Liza Puri, 48, wants no part in it. 

The London Para athlete's drive to excel and outdo herself won her a bronze medal at the Canadian Boccia Championships in Ottawa last week where she represented Ontario. 

"I have this competitive streak in me that I need to get out; I don't like just playing for no reason. I used to play sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball and I rock climb, so if I want to do something it has to be competitive," Puri told CBC News. 

The victory was even more special for Puri as it was her first time competing at a national level. She did it all with her trusted service dog Helix by her side, whose job is to assist Puri with her visual impairment and occasional seizures. 

"I was a little nervous but I knew I had the best coach and assistant beside me, and the whole team was rooting me on so I knew I could do it," she said. 

Boccia can be played individually or in teams of two or three. A game starts when a white leather ball, referred to as a jack, is thrown and each team takes turns tossing red and white balls to see who lands it closest to the jack. Scoring works the same way it does in curling.

The hardest part of the competition for Puri and her performance partner was to remain composed on the court when they learned she won the bronze medal. They eventually sneaked off to the athletes' lounge where they cheered out of pride. 

"My sports assistant basically started jumping up and down and I started crying because it was my first medal at the national level. I'm just so proud to represent Ontario," said Puri. 

Puri quickly grew to love the sport after taking it up recreationally in 2009. Despite medical issues forcing her to briefly retire until 2023, the