Leisurely, sporting fun was on the agenda when top players squared off for the semi-finals of the annual Citywide Bocce Championships in Marine Park.
Teams of four challenged mettle in the Parks & Recreation’s competition, which draws hundreds of New Yorkers of every age and skill level to compete in the ancient sport during preliminary rounds held in all the five boroughs.
The finals were held in South Park, Staten Island. The names of the winners were unreleased at press time.
Historians trace bocce’s origin to Egypt around 5000 BC, where it spread to Greece and later, the Roman Empire.
Italian immigrants introduced bocce to the Americas during the 19th century and the sport has grown immensely popular in recent years.
