The U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball team secured the world championship title in Ottawa, marking their first win since 2010. This victory sets the stage for the team as they head to the home Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028 as reigning champions.

In a thrilling final, the U.S. team edged out host Canada with a score of 77-76. With the game tied in the last 20.8 seconds, Courtney Ryan hit a crucial free throw. Canada subsequently missed a shot, leading to a foul on Ixhelt Gonzalez with only 5.1 seconds remaining. Despite Gonzalez missing both free throws, Canada failed to capitalize on its final possession.

“Lindsey Zurbrugg played a pivotal role, scoring 26 points,”

complementing her teammates Rose Hollermann and Courtney Ryan, who each contributed 17 points. Ryan narrowly missed achieving a triple-double, recording nine assists and eight rebounds.

The U.S. last claimed Paralympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games. Subsequent performances saw them earning bronze in Tokyo and silver in Paris. The current world championship squad included 11 out of 12 players with Paralympic experience, among them veterans Hollermann and Becca Murray from the 2016 championship team.

The team’s newcomer, 18-year-old Arelle Middleton, has experience in Paralympic track and field, having won silver in the F64 shot put at the 2024 Games.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands, who won the previous two world and Paralympic titles, were defeated by Canada in the semifinals.

On the men’s side, the final sees Australia facing Italy. This match will occur at 4:45 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on Peacock. The U.S. men’s team, previously undefeated in Paralympic titles over the last three games, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Germany. Nonetheless, they have consistently medaled in every World Championship since 1975.

Looking ahead, the U.S. wheelchair rugby team aims to reclaim their Paralympic title at the Los Angeles Paralympics, having last won in 2008. Currently, they hold the world champion title.