Canada Women World Champion Again in Wheelchair Basketball

Canada has become the world champion in women's wheelchair basketball. Canadian women defeated their German counterparts 54-50 in the final and won gold at Ryerson University's Mattamy Athletic Centre on Saturday, June 28.

The final actions of the tournament took place in Toronto as Cindy Ouellet and Janet McLachlan scored 15 points apiece, while the host nation did an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter to secure the win, a feat that the team achieved for the first time in 8 years. The last time Canada won gold in 2006. It also won gold in 1994, 1998 and 2002. McLachlan was overwhelmed in emotion after the win. She said that it was unbelievable specifically because it was at home as the support from family, friends and fans were there. She also said that the victory was also special because the team had often not been able to come out as the winner.

Canadian coach Bill Johnson said that his team had regular discussions during the match. He said that they had kept talking during the entire process. They had to beat the German once as he said that his girls had saved it for the moment when it would count the most. The coach also said that they had been committed to the entire process. They had particular things in mind for defence. They also had some specific plans for the transitions. Johnson said that the team had stuck to the plans throughout, and it had paid off eventually.

The 2015 Parapan American Games is also going to be held at the same venue. The Canadian coach was ready to accept the challenge. He said that it would be an "incredible experience" to play at home. The team will have a new experience of starting the tournament as the favourites, he said. Johnson said that the team would be ready to accept the challenge just like it did in the present tournament. The team will look forward to Rio, he said.

Canada beat the Netherlands and Britain consecutively before taking on Germany in the final.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@IBTimes.com.au