Shepparton's Tony Borrelli stands atop the gold podium spot. Photo: Supplied.
With a world championships destination set for Croatia, Shepparton’s Tony Borrelli didn’t botch his chance representing Australia in bocce.
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Bocce is a European ball game that belongs to the boules family, closely related to lawn bowls.
Participating in the 2026 Asia-Oceania Sport Boules Championships, Borrelli was selected for Australia to play against China, Japan and Hong Kong.
The event, held at Club Savoy, Myrtleford, across Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, had the four nations battle out different types of bocce games, with the top two countries booking a ticket to the November world championships.
Borrelli competed in three events - combined, precision throw and doubles.
The combined event showcases bocce’s two main skills, bowling and throwing.
Borelli finished second, reflecting on two thrilling games against China that determined the result.
“First round against China was a very close game, with the Chinese athlete needing to throw at the jack for two points on the last shot of the game to win, which he did,” Borelli said.
“Round two I had a comfortable win against Hong Kong, which put me against Japan for a spot in the final.
“In a tight match I was able to overcome a very good Japanese player to reach the final against China.
“The final was again a very tight match with a few lead changes but in the end the Chinese player was able to hold for the win.”
The precision throw event requires athletes to throw at 11 different targets worth varying points.
Borrelli all but sewed up a finals spot with a “great score” of 20 in the qualifying rounds, before coming up against China again.
However, he would exact his revenge after falling earlier to the same opponent.
Tony Borrelli poses with his trifecta of medals, two gold and one silver. Photo: Supplied
“With a couple of lead changes throughout the match, I was able to hit a couple of targets when it mattered to narrowly win 11 points to 10,” he said.
“It was good to get one back on my Chinese opponent after losing the combined final to him earlier.”
Another special moment occurred for Borrelli in the doubles, teaming up with Sydney’s Stefano Chiandotto, a bocce player he had first participated in doubles with 15 years ago at the 2011 world championship.
Following a commanding 13-1 win over China, Borelli and Chiandotto overcame an 11-2 deficit against Japan to force an extra round after tying the contest at 11-all, but Japan held firm to advance to the final.
After a convincing win against China again in a do-or-die battle, 13-0, Australia was pitted against Japan in the decider.
And if there’s one thing to learn about Borrelli, he doesn’t lose to the same person twice.
“In the final, we again started slowly going behind five to nil, but the next three ends we delivered some great bocce scoring three, five and then four points to get out to a 12-5 lead,” he said.
“Eventually we won 13-8.
“It’s always an honour to represent Australia, and to achieve some good results wearing the green and gold is very pleasing.”
Borrelli will make the cross-hemisphere trip to Europe for the Croatia-based world champs in November, but hopes to grow the game back home in the Goulburn Valley too.
Anyone that wants to give bocce a try or learn about the sport is encouraged to contact the Tatura Italian Social Club or the Kyabram Bocce Club.
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