Canada overwhelmed Australia 79-30 on Thursday in Ottawa, handing the host nation a convincing second straight victory at the IWBF women’s wheelchair basketball world championships and asserting itself as a medal contender on home court.
Star duo fuels decisive win
Veteran guard Kady Dandeneau led the way with a game-high performance, piling up 33 points, six assists and 12 rebounds, while forward Arinn Young contributed 20 points and an imposing 14 rebounds. Together they accounted for half of Canada’s scoring in a game that was never close after the opening quarter.
The Canadians jumped to an early advantage — outscoring Australia in the opening frame — and slowly extended their margin through efficient shooting and tight defence. The home side finished the match with a potent closing burst, outscoring the visitors 25-4 in the fourth quarter to seal a lopsided final score.
| Statistic | Canada | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 79 | 30 |
| Leading scorer | Kady Dandeneau (33) | — |
| Top rebounds | Arinn Young (14) | — |
| Team shooting | 51% (36/70) | — |
Strong start bolsters home hopes
This victory comes after Canada’s opening-round success against Spain, when the host nation posted a 76-51 win at TD Place earlier in the tournament. The two wins put the Canadian women at 2-0 in pool play and provide momentum as they prepare to face China in Ottawa on Saturday at TD Place.
Offensively, the team shot a robust 51 per cent from the field and converted one-half of their three-point attempts (3/6). The combination of Dandeneau’s scoring and playmaking and Young’s interior presence created a balance that Australia struggled to counter for much of the night.
- Canada improved to 2-0 in group play at the world championships.
- Kady Dandeneau produced 33 points and 12 rebounds; Arinn Young added 20 points and 14 rebounds.
- Canada concluded the fourth quarter with a decisive 25-4 run to close out the match.
Wider implications for Paralympic sport
Beyond the immediate tournament implications, the performance underscores the depth of Canada’s women’s wheelchair basketball program and the benefits of hosting major events on domestic development and visibility of adaptive sport. Strong crowd support in Ottawa and consecutive commanding results will bolster public interest and could influence selection, preparation and funding conversations ahead of future international competitions.
On the men’s side, Canada also began the tournament on a winning note, posting a 74-51 victory over Morocco earlier in the competition and setting up a Friday matchup with Germany at Carleton University.
For the Canadian women, the task ahead will be to sustain this level of intensity and execution as they face higher-ranked opponents in the knockout stages. The combination of veteran leadership and home-court energy gives the team a platform from which to pursue a medal on Canadian soil.
Next up for the women: China at TD Place on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
