Paralympics: Canada wins first wheelchair basketball match

PARIS: The inaugural day of wheelchair basketball at the Paris 2024 Paralympics was a day of excitement and high-stakes competition. The Bercy Arena was packed with approximately 36,500 avid spectators who witnessed some electrifying matches.

Britain vs Germany (men’s)

Britain’s men’s wheelchair basketball team began their Paralympics with a 76-55 win over Germany. The British side took an early advantage, leading 18-8 after the first quarter.

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Ben Fox excelled with his defensive skills, while Gregg Warburton was the top scorer for Britain, contributing 24 points. Lee Manning added a double, and Philip Pratt’s 18 assists were important to win the match.

Meanwhile, Germany, led by Matthias Guntner and Nico Dreimuller, made a strong push in the second half but couldn’t close the gap.

Spain vs Britain (women’s)

Britain women’s team matched their male counterparts’ performance with a 69-34 victory against Spain. Their accurate shooting was evident, especially in the first half where they outperformed Spain significantly.

Jade Atkin made a great debut, scoring 19 points with a shooting accuracy of 73 per cent. Similarly, Robyn Love added 16 points and 19 rebounds. Spain’s Beatriz Zudaire managed 12 points, but the British team’s overall superiority was clear.

Spain vs Britain (women’s)

In a rematch of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Gold Medal game, the United States (US) defeated Spain with a 66-56 win. The game was fiercely competitive, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the first half.

The US sped ahead in the third quarter, thanks to Steve Serio’s triple-double and Jake Williams’ 22 points. Spain’s Ignacio Ortega, who fouled out late, led his team with 17 points but was unable to stop the US’ momentum.

Canada vs. China (women’s)

China secured a narrow 70-65 victory over Canada in a tightly contested match. The first half saw China leveraging Canadian turnovers to maintain a slight lead.

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However, Canada fought back in the third quarter, but China’s aggressive defense in the final period ensured their win. Xuemei Zhang stood out with 30 points, while Canada’s Kady Dandeneau scored 28 points in a losing effort.

Australia vs Netherlands (men’s)

In the final game of the day, the Netherlands defeated Australia 66-55. Australia started with strong 3-point shooting, but the Netherlands adjusted their strategy and controlled the second half.

Mendel Op den Orth was a standout performer for the Dutch with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Bill Latham led Australia with 16 points and 13 rebounds but couldn’t prevent the Netherlands from securing the win.

Canada vs France (men’s)

Canada opened their campaign with an 83-68 win over France. Hedges, in his fourth Paralympics, contributed 2 points in a brief appearance.

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Canada overcame a halftime deficit with a powerful third quarter, including a 15-0 run. Colin Higgins was the top scorer with 38 points. Nicholas Jouanserre scored 38 for France, but the Canadian defense, which forced 14 turnovers, was crucial to their victory.

Wheelchair basketball has an interesting history, originating around 1946 with injured WWII war veterans in the US. Initially a recreational activity, it became a competitive sport and was introduced in the 1960 Paralympic Games in Rome.