Marco
Dispaltro

Marco Dispaltro has been one of Canada’s top boccia players for many years, competing in three Parapan Am Games (2011, 2015, 2019) and three Paralympic Games (2012, 2016, 2020). He has reached the podium at each of his Parapan Am Games appearances. He won gold in BC4 singles play at the Lima 2019 Games and added a bronze in pairs. He also took silver in pairs at Toronto 2015 and in singles at Guadalajara 2011.

At his third Paralympics at Tokyo 2020, Dispaltro was a member of the mixed pair BC4 with Alison Levine and Iulian Ciobanu that did not advance to the playoff round.

Dispaltro enjoyed a solid 2022 season culminating with an appearance at the world championships. He went undefeated in the preliminary round to win his pool before being stopped in the round of 16.

He concluded 2022 ranked eighth in the world, the first time he’s cracked the top-10 since 2016.

In 2019, Dispaltro won the gold medal in BC4 singles with a resounding 11-2 victory over Colombia’s Euclides Grisales in the final at the Parapan American Games in Lima. He also added a bronze in the BC4 pairs event with Levine and Ciobanu.

Dispaltro held a No. 1 world ranking in his classification entering the 2015 season.

Dispaltro started his wheelchair sports odyssey in 1993 as a rugby player and played until 2004. From 2001 until 2008, he acted as the high-performance coordinator of the Canadian national wheelchair rugby team. In 2008, he became the head coach for Sweden, leading them to unprecedented heights.

In May 2010, after years of coaxing and hesitation, Dispaltro tried boccia and it was love at first throw. His achievements in boccia include his bronze in pairs with Josh Vander Vies at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2020, 2016, 2012 Paralympic Games… Gold in BC4 singles and bronze in pairs at 2019 Parapan Am Games… Competed at 2018 and 2022 World Championships Bronze medal at 2012 Paralympic Games… Silver medallist at both the 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games.

PERSONAL

Renowned for his commitment and dedication to his craft, Dispaltro is rarely seen without a boccia ball in his hand. When he does take time to himself, he is an avid reader and enjoys satirical television. He is also a motivational speaker, using sport to inspire and drive young people.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

•    2022 World Championships – Singles BC4 – eliminated in round of 16
•    2021 Paralympic Games – Pairs BC 4 – eliminated in preliminaries
•    2019 Parapan American Games – Pairs BC4 – 3rd 
•    2019 Parapan American Games – Singles BC 4 – 1st 
•    2018 World Championships – Pairs BC4 – 6th
•    2018 World Championships – Singles BC4 – 5th
•    2016 Paralympic Games – Pairs BC4 – 6th
•    2016 Paralympic Games – Singles BC4 – 16th
•    2015 Parapan American Games – Pairs BC4 – Silver
•    2012 London Paralympic Games – Pairs Mixed BC4 – Bronze
•    2012 London Paralympic Games – Singles BC4 – 9th
•    2011 Parapan American Games – Singles BC4 – Silver