Skip to main content
12221
Back to International Paralympic Committee homepage Go to
Contrast:
High Contrast
Normal Contrast
Enlargement:
Larger Font Size
Default Font Size
Smaller Font Size
    • Home
    • News
    • Athletes
    • Schedule/Results
    • Tickets
    • Countries
    • Samsung Bloggers
    • Fan Zone
    • Watch
    • Sports
    • About
    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram

    Wheelchair basketball: Five things we learned from Rio 2016

    29.09.2016

    Find out who surprised, who to watch for at Tokyo 2020 and more.

    © •
    Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker
    Related News
    Tokyo 2020 CEO Muto meets IWBF
    Wheelchair basketball Rio 2016 wrap-up

    One nation saw double gold in wheelchair basketball at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, while a few surprises signaled new anticipation for Tokyo 2020.

    Find more of what was learned over 10 days of wheelchair basketball competition at Rio 2016:

    US domination

    For the first time in 28 years, both the US men and women’s teams claimed both gold medals at a Paralympic Games. Perhaps one of their strongest assets throughout the tournament was their scoring attack.

    That was especially on display in the women’s finals, where the USA’s Rebecca Murray was on fire, making 60 per cent of her field goals. Germany, the defending champions, struggled to respond with points of their own, shooting 32 per cent in the game and falling 62-45.

    For the men, the USA’s Jake Williams showcased his offensive prowess, finishing with 20 points (58 per cent) and Brian Bell (15 points, 78 per cent) being another threat as the US men defeated Spain 68-52.

    Watch out for Spain

    The Spanish men emerged as the unexpected finals team. Although hanging with the US through three quarters, their inexperience got to them in the fourth as the US pulled away for the victory. Still, Spain had clinched their country’s first medal in the sport’s history with the silver, showing how far the sport has come (and still has to come) in their country.

    They barely qualified for Rio 2016 – just beating Italy to take the fifth and final qualifying slot at the 2015 European Championships. During the tournament, they defeated their two European rivals (Germany and Great Britain by no more than six points) and upset defending Paralympic champions Australia en route to the finals.

    Much of their success was due to their size. Twins Alejandro and Pablo Zarzuela, who finished with 20 and 16 points respectively in the finals, especially wreaked havoc for the US inside the paint. Spain can only get bigger toward Tokyo 2020.

    “We are changing things in wheelchair basketball in Spain,” Spanish coach Jose Manuel Artacho said after the gold medal game. “We hope we are doing the things right. Year by year, tournament by tournament, we show that we can do it. It is our goal.”

    …and Great Britain

    Both men and women’s teams showed growth since their home Paralympics at London 2012. Although young, the women’s team displayed their potential when they defeated heavyweights Germany during the preliminary rounds. They struggled to keep up with the more experienced Netherlands bunch in the bronze medal game, but Tokyo 2020 looks promising for a podium.

    After just missing podium medal at London 2012, the British men took Turkey to a thrilling overtime victory for the bronze medal. Terry Bywater was unstoppable from the field, scoring 25 points and 22-year-old Phil Pratt proved one who can add more scoring damage in the future. Ian Sager (20 points) tasted the pains of finishing fourth at London 2012 and was a key leader in the British battle for bronze. Whether or not he and other veterans return in four years is up in the air.

    Turkey’s time will come

    Turkey on many occasions in the bronze medal game looked like they were going to capture their first ever Paralympic medal in the sport. But that dream slipped away minute by minute. Ozgur Gurbulak was determined to keep the Turkish hope alive by displaying why he is one of the best scorers in the sport, hitting clutch 3-pointers that kept Turkey in medal contention. The team went from seventh at London 2012 to just missing the podium in Rio. If they can refuel their team in four years, Tokyo 2020 might be their medal moment.

    Will Germany and the Netherlands remain powerhouses ahead of Tokyo 2020?

    The German and Dutch women’s teams have been podium finishers on the international stage over the last decade. For the German side, the question remains if many of their core will return to the court in four years’ time, including the team’s top offensive weapon Marina Mohnen. Their coach Holger Glinicki also said after the gold medal loss that the game was his last.

    The Dutch women also inserted a range of experience level into their lineup. It would not be a surprise if 25-year-old scoring machine Mariska Beijer returned for Tokyo, as well as 18-year-old Bo Kramer. For veterans such as Inge Huitzing, Carina de Rooij and Roos Oosterbaan, Tokyo, like many others, will perhaps be decided after some well-deserved post-Rio relaxation.

    • Tweet
      • print
      • send
    LATEST NEWS
    Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation 05.08.2019 Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation
    Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude 05.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude
    Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day 04.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day
    Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way 03.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way
    Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month 02.08.2019 Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month
    More news...following the link
    Worldwide Paralympic Partners
    Go to Atos partner page
    Go to Bridgestone partner page
    Go to OttoBock partner page
    Go to Panasonic partner page
    Go to Samsung partner page
    Go to Toyota partner page
    Go to Visa partner page
    International Partners
    Go to Allianz partner page
    Go to BP partner page
    Go to Citi partner page
    • FAQ
    • Privacy
    • Imprint
    • Jobs
    Powered by Go to Atos. Worldwide IPC partner page
    The Paralympic Games
    Summer Games
    Winter Games
    Sochi 2014
    Rio 2016
    All the results & medallist since 1960
    Games video archive
    About the IPC
    Who we are
    Anti-Doping
    Medical
    Partners
    IPC Strategic Plan 2015-2018
    IPC Handbook
    Publications and Documents
    Media Centre
    News
    Features & Interviews
    The Paralympian
    Videos
    Athlete of the Month
    Media Office
    Sports
    Summer Sports
    Winter Sports
    Biographies
    NPCS
    Africa
    America
    Asia
    Europe
    Oceania
    Go to International Paralympic Committee homepage
    Official Website of the Paralympic Movement • IPC
    Homepage
    Paralympic Games
    The IPC
    Results, Ranking & Records
    Media Centre
    Videos
    Sports
    International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
    Adenauerallee 212-214, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Telephone: +49-228-2097-200 • Fax: +49-228-2097-209 • E-mail: [email protected]
    04:39:23