Daniel Perez

Started: He took up boccia in 1995. (boccia.nl, 01 Jan 2023) Reason: He had always been involved in sports and joined a boccia club after his sports teacher asked if he would like to try something new. "This was the first boccia club in the Netherlands. Soon more people joined the club and we decided to start a demonstration team with a small group. We went all over the country and soon a few clubs were added." (cpnederland.nl, 25 Oct 2023; huisaanhuisenschede.nl, 28 Aug 2019) Ambition: To win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games. (Instagram profile, 23 May 2021; tubantia.nl, 04 Mar 2020) Milestones: He became the first athlete representing the Netherlands to win a medal in boccia at the Paralympic Games when he claimed silver in the individual BC1 mixed event at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 31 Mar 2020; paralympic.org, 02 Aug 2021) Additional Info: RIVALRY He claimed the first major international gold medal of his career by beating Great Britain's David Smith in the final of the men's BC1 event at the 2023 European Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Perez had had to settle for silver at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2019 European Championships in Seville, Spain, after losing to Smith in the final on both occasions. "It is wonderful that I won here, in this unique place. The first gold medal in my career; I've been playing for so long. To do that here in our own country makes it extra special. I have finished second quite a lot of times, especially in finals against David, so I am happy that I finally took gold." (fondsgehandicaptensport.nl, 12 Aug 2023; insidethegames.biz, 12 Aug 2023) OCCUPATION He has worked as a life coach. "I still have my enthusiasm for fitness. My basic knowledge has also greatly improved due to my eagerness to learn. I have taught myself almost everything and also learned a lot from professionals in top sports. Researched and read many things myself. So much that I now even supervise HBO [higher vocational education] students and, in addition to a top sports career, have started as a life coach. This will be my next big goal besides and after my top sports career." (cpnederland.nl, 25 Oct 2023; Facebook profile, 21 Aug 2023) HERITAGE His parents were both born in Spain. (Facebook profile, 26 Feb 2017)