Revenge is a dish best served with style, and the USA wheelchair rugby team did just that, delivering a powerful and aggressive performance to halt Great Britain’s advance to the final. This victory avenged their loss to the British in Tokyo, where the UK team had stunned the competition by claiming their first-ever gold medal.
Three years ago, the British squad made history by defeating the USA in the Tokyo Paralympics, capturing the gold in a thrilling display of athleticism. However, in Paris, Team USA was determined to reverse their fortunes. In the semifinal clash, the Americans unleashed a relentless barrage of blocks, interceptions, and forceful plays in the second quarter, leaving the British team struggling to maintain possession and losing crucial points. By the end of the match, the scoreboard reflected a decisive 50-43 victory for the USA, with seven tries separating the two teams.
Expectations for the reigning Paralympic champions were high, but defending the title proved daunting. Before Tokyo, Great Britain had never finished higher than fourth in the Paralympics or won a world championship. While their group-stage victory over reigning world champions Australia was a significant achievement, it ultimately wasn’t enough to propel them past the Americans. Now, they will face Australia again in the bronze medal match, while the USA advances to meet Japan in the final.
Reflecting on the loss, a visibly frustrated Stuart Robinson, a key player for Great Britain, commented, “We discussed this scenario in our planning meetings and even made statements about the intensity of the match. We knew what to expect, but we just couldn’t perform at our best. We suffered a bit, made some mistakes, and we know we’re capable of correcting those errors.”
Robinson’s rivalry with USA’s Chuck Aoki, a battle of wits and skill between two of the sport’s top athletes, was a focal point of the match. In Tokyo, Robinson had outplayed Aoki, but at the Paris La Défense Arena, the roles were reversed. Aoki scored 18 points for his team, while Robinson managed only 15. The usually seamless connection between Robinson and Aaron Phipps faltered, with Phipps making two costly errors early in the match, which shifted the momentum in favor of the Americans. Meanwhile, Aoki found strong support from his longtime teammate Chris Waddell, who scored 14 tries, twice as many as Phipps.
After three grueling matches, the USA team appeared energized and focused, while Great Britain seemed to be running out of steam. The Americans also had a secret weapon in Sarah Adam, the only female player on the court. She played a crucial role as the third offensive threat alongside Aoki and Waddell, finding space effortlessly and contributing just as much power as her male counterparts. Adam, who uses a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis, has been playing wheelchair rugby since before her diagnosis, and her natural talent was evident throughout the match.
Now, Great Britain must quickly regroup as they prepare for their fifth consecutive match on Monday in the bronze medal contest. When asked if he could shake off the disappointment in time, Robinson replied, “Yes, I think so. It’s tough right now, but I believe once I leave this building, I’ll move past it. But no matter what, unless you win gold, it will always hurt.”
