Canadian Paralympic Sport Awards: Women’s sitting volleyball team earns best Games result in Tokyo

Canada’s women’s sitting volleyball team first qualified for the Paralympic Games at Rio 2016, finishing seventh. In Tokyo, the squad upgraded that result and narrowly missed the podium with fourth place.

Earning their way into the bronze-medal match, Canada dropped the first set to Brazil before evening the score at one-set apiece. The squad then held a 21-15 lead in the third before Brazil powered back. Bronze medallists at the Rio 2016 Games, the Brazilians closed out the match in four sets 3-1 to win their second straight Paralympic medal.

“Tokyo was like no other Paralympic Games. Our team put in so much work on and off court between the Rio and Tokyo Paralympics, so to be noticed by Canadians for the Best Team Performance really shows us that the work we’re doing is paying off,” said team captain Danielle Ellis on the experience. “Looking back, we had some very memorable performances, from our three-hour five-set match to start the tournament to our tough battles in pool play to clinch our semifinal berth. Every moment on court we played for each other and for all of Canada watching back home.”

It was an exciting tournament for the Canadian team, showing they are a force on the international scene. With the fourth-place finish, it was also Canada’s highest team sport result at the Tokyo Games.

Tokyo 2020 Canadian Paralympic Sport Awards

Best Paralympic Debut by a Female Athlete – Kate O’Brien
Best Paralympic Debut by a Male Athlete – Nate Riech
Best Team Performance – Women’s Sitting Volleyball
Best Male Athlete – To be announced
Best Female Athlete – To be announced

The Canadian Paralympic Sport Awards recognize outstanding athlete and team performances at the Paralympic Games. For more information visit Paralympic.ca/Sport-Awards.