A reduction in team places in Wheelchair Basketball at the Paris Paralympic Games means that no men’s teams will compete at the Bercy Arena. Australia qualified from the Zonal Championships and runners up Iran went into the Repechage, a new format designed to ensure that the best teams from around the world compete at the Paralympics. Unfortunately, they finished third in their group, despite two very close matches.
For the women however, Tokyo silver medallists, China and Japan will compete. They have been drawn in opposing groups and so will not meet until the knockout stage if they progress. China also won silver at the World Championships held in June 2023 in Dubai and so will be hoping that their upward trajectory in this sport continues in Paris.
As part of their preparations, the team have been playing against Guangdong men’s wheelchair basketball team to simulate their main rival, the Netherlands’ style during training. Captain Lin Suiling will be competing in her third Paralympic Games and will be hoping that her experience can help steer her team onto the podium once more.
