Tokyo welcomed the Paralympic Games starting August 24th, with the official opening declared by Emperor Naruhito on Tuesday evening. To ensure safety during the pandemic, the International Paralympics Committee confirmed that stadiums would remain closed to the public. The scale of the event is impressive, drawing in 4,400 athletes from 162 countries.
Athletes are buzzing with anticipation as they prepare for this global spectacle. The wheelchair basketball competition will start with group play at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza before culminating in the finals at the Ariake Arena.
All eyes are on the United States in the wheelchair basketball tournament, as they enter as the favorites. Having swept both the men's and women's gold medals in Rio 2016, the American athletes are now focused on defending those titles in Tokyo.
Jake Williams remains a powerhouse for the U.S. men's team, bringing a winning pedigree from the 2015 Parapan American Games and the Rio 2016 Olympics. The team's momentum continued with a victory at the 2018 World Championships.
Historically, the U.S. has dominated the sport with 12 Paralympic gold medals. Their primary challengers are the Canadians, who hold six titles. Canada's hopes rest largely on the experienced 42-year-old Patrick Anderson, who makes them a formidable opponent.
The American women's team, however, has had a more turbulent road, slipping to sixth place during the 2018 World Championships. They open their title defense against the Netherlands with a significantly altered roster; only three gold medalists from five years ago are returning. The squad has leaned into youth, featuring teenage stars Ixhelt Gonzalez (17) and Bailey Moody (19), while veteran Rose Hollermann returns for her third Paralympic appearance.
The U.S. women squad has young talents that include teenagers Ixhelt Gonzalez (17) and Bailey Moody (19). One of the key players in the tournament, Rose Hollermann is back in the team for her third Paralympics Games.
The first game against the Netherlands will be a true litmus test for the U.S. women. The Dutch team, who claimed their first World Championship in 2018, are currently viewed as top contenders for the gold.