Paralympics are just around the corner! Now that the the Olympics are over, let’s welcome the real party! As you know, I’ve been taking pictures of wheelchair rugby for years now. I think it’s time to talk about the 10 athletes to watch in Paris!
Sarah Adam – Team USA – 2.5F
Sarah will be the first woman representing Team USA is wheelchair rugby at Paralympics! She’s also a force of Nature and was actually volunteering as an able-body with wheelchair rugby before being a player.
Josco Wilke – Team Germany – 2.0
The 23 years old player is on his way to his first Paralympics after making his Worlds debut in 2022. Josco helped the German team get their ticket for Paris in New Zealand, beating the Brazilian Team, and making his Paralympics dream come true.
Stuart Robinson – Team GB – 3.5
« Stu » started his wheelchair rugby journey with the Invictus Games, bringing home gold in 2014. After winning gold in Tokyo 2020 with Team GB, he hopes to bring gold home again in Paris.
@leglessrobbo @gbwheelchairrugby
Chuck Aoki – Team USA – 3.0
Chuck is probably one of the most known athlete in wheelchair rugby and online. He discovered the sport with the movie Murdeball, after playing wheelchair basketball for years. Paris will be his 4th Paralympics, the first in US history to do it in wheelchair rugby.
Trevor Hirschfield – Team Canada – 1.0
As the co-captain of Team Canada, Trevor has introduced to the sport by one of the sport’s co-inventor, Duncan Campbell. Known for his intelligence on the court, Paris will be his 5th Paralympics.
Sebastian Frederiksen – Team Denmark – 3.5
Sebastian has been in the sport for the last decade. He helped his team be consistent throughout the years, with multiple bronze and silver medals at European Championships. After Tokyo, Denmark is on their way to Paris!
Katsuya Hashimoto – Team Japan – 3.5
The youngest player on Japanese Team is learning from the best. He is dedicated to the sport and show great speed on the court. Paris will be his second Paralympics, after bringing bronze in Tokyo.
Shae Graham – Team Australia – 2.5F
Shae is the first female athlete to represents Australia in wheelchair rugby. She actually started wheelchair rugby on a bet with her brother. And we’re glad she did. Australia is the only team with three women in wheelchair rugby, showing the way for the future players!
Cédric Nankin – Team France – 1.5
Cédric is arguably the best 1.5 in the world. He started in 2011, making him a veteran of the sport. He’s known for his tenacity on court and his jokes off court.
@cedric_nankin @francerugbyfauteuil
Lee Fredette – Team USA – 1.0
Lee discovered wheelchair rugby with the documentary Murderball, like many of his former and current teammates. The two-time Paralympian is ready to take on the challenge of Paris 2024, in hopes of winning a third medal.
That is a total of 10 athletes to watch for Paris 2024, you don’t have any excuses now to not watch the wheelchair rugby games!
First games are on the 29th, starting with Australia vs Great Britain at 11:30!
Follow my Instagram to know more about wheelchair rugby, see awesome pictures and learn about it!