The Montreal 2026 World Boccia Cup continues to be a rigorous test of resilience for Bermuda’s Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, as the 2025 Female Athlete of the Year suffered a second consecutive heartbreak in a tense Pool A encounter.
Facing off against Israel’s Orit Kelner, the world number seven was desperate to kickstart her campaign following a difficult opening-day loss to the Czech Republic. In a match defined by tactical patience and razor-thin margins, it was Kelner who ultimately held her nerve to secure a 3-2 victory, leaving the Bermudian standout with a mountain to climb in Quebec.
The contest was a far tighter affair than DeSilva-Andrade’s opener, showcasing the clinical precision that has seen her climb into the world’s elite top ten over the last twelve months. Despite trailing in the early ends, she mounted a spirited late comeback to pull within a single point. However, Kelner managed to obstruct the “jack” with expert placement in the final end, denying DeSilva-Andrade the crucial equaliser.
Reflecting on the performance, DeSilva-Andrade remained positive despite the result.
“It wasn’t the result I wanted but it was a very tight game,” she said. “There was so much improvement for me in that game. Even though I didn’t win, I’m extremely proud of myself. I have my final pool game tomorrow against Japan.”
The result leaves DeSilva-Andrade at the bottom of BC1 Female Pool A, facing a nearly impossible task to reach the knockout stages. With only the top performers advancing, her final fixture against Japan’s Hiromi Endo has shifted from a qualification battle to a matter of pride and vital ranking points.
While Montreal has proven a difficult hunting ground so far, the narrow nature of this latest defeat suggests the form that earned her national honours is close to returning as she looks to finish her pool play on a high.
