In a remarkable display of athletic prowess that has largely escaped mainstream sports headlines, Canadian wheelchair basketball has achieved what many thought impossible. Both our men’s and women’s 3×3 teams captured gold medals at the World Championships in the Netherlands last weekend, cementing Canada’s status as a global powerhouse in the sport.
The women’s squad delivered a nail-biting 17-16 victory over the Netherlands in the final match, while the men dominated the United States with a decisive 21-15 win in their gold medal game. This unprecedented double triumph marks the first time any nation has claimed both titles at the same championship.
“This is absolutely huge for Paralympic sport in Canada,” said Kady Dandeneau, the standout player who led the women’s team with critical scoring in the final minutes. “We’ve been building toward this moment for years, and to see both teams stand on top of the podium feels like validation for all the work that happens away from the spotlight.”
The championships in Assen weren’t just about medals. They represented a critical qualification pathway to the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, giving these victories added significance beyond the immediate celebration.
What makes these achievements particularly noteworthy is how they’ve unfolded against a backdrop of limited resources compared to able-bodied sports programs. Wheelchair basketball in Canada operates with a fraction of the funding that flows to higher-profile sports, yet consistently produces world-class results.
Patrick Anderson, widely regarded as the greatest wheelchair basketball player of all time, contributed crucial points in the men’s final. At 45, Anderson continues to defy age expectations with performances that showcase both physical skill and tactical intelligence.
“We play for everyone back home who’s fighting to make parasport more visible,” Anderson said after the medal ceremony. “These medals aren’t just for us—they’re for every kid with a disability who deserves to see themselves represented in sports excellence.”
The 3×3 format, a faster-paced variant played on half-court with 10-minute games, has energized wheelchair basketball globally. Its inclusion in the Paralympic program has created new opportunities for athletes and brought fresh attention to adaptive sports.
According to recent Sport Canada data, participation in wheelchair basketball has grown by nearly 30% since 2019, with youth enrollment seeing the largest increases. These championship victories are expected to accelerate that growth further, particularly in communities where accessible sports infrastructure has improved.
The twin gold medals arrive at a pivotal moment for Paralympic sports in Canada. With federal sport funding decisions approaching next fiscal year, these international successes strengthen the case for increased investment in programs that have proven they can deliver world-class results.
“What these athletes have accomplished demonstrates the impact of targeted support,” noted Mike Frogley, High Performance Director for Wheelchair Basketball Canada. “Imagine what Canadian parasport could achieve with equitable resources compared to Olympic programs.”
The victory celebrations were particularly meaningful for athletes like Tara Llanes, who transitioned to wheelchair basketball after a professional mountain biking career was cut short by injury. Her journey represents the pathway many take to Paralympic sports—finding new athletic outlets after life-changing circumstances.
“People sometimes forget that many of us came to these sports later in life,” Llanes explained. “We’re redefining what athletic careers can look like, showing there are multiple chapters possible in sports.”
Beyond the athletic achievement, these championships highlighted the evolving media landscape for Paralympic sports. While coverage remains disproportionately lower than Olympic sports, digital platforms have created new opportunities for these athletes to share their stories directly with fans.
The Canadian Paralympic Committee reported that social media engagement around the wheelchair basketball championships reached record levels, with video content garnering over 2 million views across platforms—numbers that would have been unimaginable even five years ago.
The championship teams will return to their home training centers across Canada this week, but the impact of their achievement promises to extend far beyond the medal ceremony in Assen. School visits, community demonstrations, and media appearances are already being scheduled as part of efforts to capitalize on this moment of visibility.
For Dandeneau, Anderson, and their teammates, the hope is that these gold medals will translate into something more valuable than personal glory—increased recognition for a sport that exemplifies athletic excellence regardless of physical ability.
“We’re not asking for special treatment,” Dandeneau emphasized. “We’re simply showing that wheelchair basketball delivers world-class competition and deserves to be covered, supported, and celebrated alongside any other sport where Canadians excel internationally.”
As both teams look ahead to the Paralympic qualification tournaments next year, their dual world championships stand as powerful evidence that when it comes to wheelchair basketball, Canada isn’t just participating on the global stage—we’re leading the way.
