Paris 2024 Paralympics: Japan win long-awaited wheelchair rugby gold over Team USA
Japan won wheelchair rugby gold, completing an undefeated five-game streak at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, in a 48-41 final against Team USA on Monday (2 September).
The packed Champ-de-Mars Arena saw a full range of emotions from the fans who smiled, cried, stomped the scaffolding stands, and applauded the tense match as both teams left it all on the court on the biggest stage in wheelchair rugby competition.
Japan came into the final as the undefeated favourites having previously defeated Team USA 45-42 in pool play. Top scorers securing the gold for Japan were stalwart Ike Yukinobu with 16, rising star Hashimoto Katsuya with 19, and legend Ikezaki Daisuke contributing six.
The gold medal match started off strong with for Team USA leading by three points 14-11 after the first quarter. The second quarter saw Japan pick up the pace with a four-point swing to finish 24-23 ahead at half-time.
Japan amped up their lead in the third quarter as the USA side ran out of timeouts, putting the team at a disadvantage and also starting a worrying turnover trend, finishing with Japan leading 35-32.
The fourth quarter was no better for Team USA as the turnover count climbed to nine and Japan locked into a rhythm, extending its lead 48-41 to win gold.
Japan won bronze at Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016, while Team USA were the Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016 silver medallists.
The top scorers for Team USA were Chuck Aoki and Sarah Adam, both with 14, while Josh Wheeler contributed seven.
Adam, the first female player to compete on the USA wheelchair rugby team at a Paralympic Games, proved to be a clutch player in Paris.
This silver medal finish also makes Aoki the most decorated wheelchair rugby player in U.S. history, with three silvers and a bronze.
The London 2012 and Rio 2016 champions, Australia, beat out Great Britain 50-48 in an earlier match to claim the bronze medal.
Team USA’s Chuck Aoki on silver—"It's obviously disappointing”
Team USA’s Aoki came into these Paralympic Games as a two-time silver medallist and bronze medallist hoping to bring gold back to the USA, but it wasn’t to be.
“It's obviously disappointing,” Aoki said of the team’s silver-medal finish. “We set our sights and goals on gold. But I'm always proud of this team and I'm always proud to be part of it as well. It's not the result we wanted, but I'm proud of it.”
First time medallist Adam shared Aoki’s sentiment, saying, “Obviously, the goal was gold. Japan had a great team. They came out fighting hard. Not where we want to be, but we're going to enjoy the moment anyway.”
Adam was a critical part of Team USA’s success at Paris 2024 and her participation made history as the first woman to represent Team USA in wheelchair rugby.
She shared her love for the team and the importance of representing women in sport, saying, "Our team fought hard. I love our team. Words can't really express what this team means to me and how we've come together and continued to fight.
"Right now, the women in sports movement is growing, and to be a small piece of that puzzle is always an honour. I hope I represented females well out on that court.”
Adam also nodded to Japan’s Kurahashi Kae, saying, “[she] did a phenomenal job as well, played in her role.”
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 02: Gold medalists Team Japan celebrate as they pose for a photo after the medal ceremony for the Open - Gold Medal Game Match against Team United States on day five of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Champs-de-Mars Arena on September 02, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Japan's young star, Hashimoto Katsuya, hopes to inspire others
Hashimoto was only 19 years old when he became the youngest Japanese wheelchair rugby player to win a Paralympic medal in the sport as part of the team that claimed bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Now 22 years old and a Paralympic gold medallist, he says, “When I play sports, I try to encourage people who have a disability. I want to give them courage and hope.
"During this competition, I received messages on social media from parents who have kids with disabilities, and they told me that I gave them courage. I was really glad to have received those messages."
Hashimoto adds that he hopes his teams' performance inspires others to take up the sport: “I hope the number of people who feel the same way increases, and I would be happy if more people with disabilities try wheelchair rugby.”
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games wheelchair rugby podium
Gold: Japan
Silver: United States of America
Bronze: Australia