Rio 2016 preview: Wheelchair basketball
07.09.2016Who will come out on top at Rio 2016? Here’s our look ahead to all the wheelchair basketball action at the Paralympic Games.
Shaun Norris competes at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
© • IPC Credit
A total of 73 games over 10 days of wheelchair basketball action will be held at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Team USA have the most medals in the Games’ history with 19, and will be one of 12 teams in the men’s and one of 10 in the women’s competition.
Among a strong line-up of nations in the men’s draw are reigning World Champions and defending Paralympic silver medallists, Australia, and the current title holders, Canada. The pair have met in the finals in London 2012, Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004, and will resume their fierce rivalry in Rio.
In the women’s competition, Netherlands and Germany will continue a battle that stretches back to the late 1980s. They have met at every European Championship final since 1989 – that is 13 times they have faced off in a final.
The emerging nations are also ready to make an impact at these Games. China’s women qualified by beating the defending silver medallists Australia, while host nation Brazil will ride the home crowd support when they make a return to both competitions.
Group stage matches will be split between Carioca Arena 1 and the Rio Olympic Arena. The latter, Rio’s largest indoor venue, will go on to host the quarter-finals and finals.
Competition will run from 8-17 September, with 10 games each day for the first five days. The knockout stages begin on 13 September and culminate with the women’s gold medal match on the penultimate day, followed by the men’s a day later.
Ones to watch:
Mariska Beijer (NED): Beijer was the top point scorer in the 2015 European Championships.
Janet McLachlan (CAN): Topped the point scorers list at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
Marina Mohnen (GER): Scored 21 points in the final of the 2015 European Championships to help beat the Netherlands and claim the gold medal.
Becca Murray (USA): Netted 72 points at an average 21 per game in the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, where her team won gold.
Abdi Jama (GBR): Competing in his third Paralympic Games, Jama is looking to add to his bronze from Beijing and three European Championship gold medals.
Shaun Norris (AUS): Made his Paralympic Games debut in 2004 and is the second highest point-scorer for his country behind Justin Eveson.
Hiroaki Kozai (JPN): Was named in the 2016 Continental Clash All-Star 5 team, guiding Japan to two wins at the tournament.
Ozgur Gurbulak (TUR): Scored a double-double at the European Championships to seal the bronze medal for his team.
Catch all the wheelchair basketball results online:
https://www.dailymotion.com/Paralympics
