Draw for women’s goalball tournament at Tokyo Paralympic Games announced

The draw was announced Monday for the Tokyo Paralympic Games goalball tournament, and Canada’s women’s team is in the same pool as world champion Russia, who be competing at the Games under the name RPC. 

The Canadians, fourth at the last worlds in 2018 which were held in Malmo, Sweden, are joined in their pool by RPC, Israel, China and Australia. The other pool consists of defending Paralympic champion Turkey and Brazil, second and third at the last worlds, as well as Egypt, the U.S. and host Japan.

In 2018 in Malmo, the Canadian women rallied in the round robin to win their last two games including a 5-2 victory over USA to reach the quarterfinals. They lost to Russia in the semis and to Brazil for the bronze. Emma Reinke of Ottawa was third in tournament scoring with 24 goals.

At the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, the Canadians were sixth. They are vying for their first Games medal since back-to-back gold in 2000 and 2004. Amy Burk of Charlottetown led Canada with 12 goals in Rio.

The tournament schedule for Tokyo will be released at a later date.