# El Langui Secures Silver Medal at Sao Paulo Boccia World Cup Spanish athlete Juan Manuel Montilla achieves career milestone in his second professional boccia season. - **Source:** [Marca](https://www.marca.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e4bb89e8-025a-45c3-8378-902da7fc8253 ## Historic Podium Finish Juan Manuel Montilla, known as El Langui, secured a silver medal in the BC1 category at the Sao Paulo Boccia World Cup. This achievement marks his first appearance in a World Cup final. After only two years in the sport, he has already accumulated six international medals across various competitive circuits. ## Strategic Tactical Victory During the quarterfinals, El Langui defeated Roly Castro, a highly experienced Peruvian competitor. By analyzing the opponent's proficiency in short-range play and aerial maneuvers, Montilla and his coach, Juan Antonio López Mera, executed a precise game plan. This victory was essential for advancing to the semifinals against top-ranked global players. ## Overcoming Technical Adversity In the semifinal match against Singaporean player Jovin Tan, Montilla faced a significant disadvantage. Due to high humidity levels in Brazil, one of his competition balls failed the diameter inspection, resulting in a penalty. Despite playing with one fewer ball, he maintained his focus and secured his spot in the final. ## Final Match Performance The final pitted Montilla against the young Kazakhstani athlete Kuanysh Askarbekovun. Although the match remained highly competitive until the final partial, Askarbekovun ultimately claimed the gold. Montilla expressed deep satisfaction with the silver, emphasizing the technical growth and the high-level strategic exchange required to compete against such a skilled opponent. ## Ranking and Progression This silver medal provides crucial points for the world ranking, potentially placing Montilla among the top ten boccia players globally. His rapid progression from regional leagues to international World Cup finals highlights his dedication. He continues to balance his professional athletic career with his ongoing musical and acting commitments in Spain. ## Long-term Athletic Vision Montilla views every training session, international trip, and competitive match as a building block for his ultimate goal. He is systematically preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Despite the significant workload ahead, he remains committed to the step-by-step development of his technical skills and competitive strategy in boccia. ## Spanish Team Success The success in Sao Paulo extended beyond Montilla, as Laura Utrero also earned a silver medal in the BC3 category. These results underscore the growing competitiveness of the Spanish national boccia team on the international stage. The team continues to perform consistently across various international tournaments, including Challengers and World Cup events. ## The Chess of Balls Boccia is often described as the chess of balls, requiring immense mental clarity, precision, and strategic patience. Montilla credits his recent success to the experience accumulated throughout the year, which has allowed him to remain composed under pressure. His ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions remains a key competitive advantage. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.marca.com/paralimpicos/2026/11/10/langui-cierra-temporada-inolvidable-primer-podio-copa-mundo.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._