Halfway to LA28 Part 1: Canadian Para sport talent emerges in 2026

OTTAWA – A new generation of Canadian Para sport talent is emerging, and if their 2026 performances are any indication, some could be ready to make their Paralympic Games debuts at LA28.

The 2027 Parapan American Games in Lima will provide another opportunity for the next generation to gain international experience along the way.

Some of that young talent was on display most recently at the wheelchair basketball world championships in Ottawa in September, which included a silver medal for the women’s team.

Kady Dandeneau, the women’s tournament MVP, says the emergence of young players was a key factor in Canada going from fourth at the 2024 Paralympics to the silver medal at the 2026 worlds.

‘’I adore our young players,’’ said Dandeneau after the team’s 77-76 loss in the final to the U.S. ‘’They have brought such wonderful energy, they work hard and make everyone better. They played huge minutes in crucial situations such as overtime, I can’t say enough.’’

Here are five Canadian Para athletes, among many, determined to make their Paralympic Games debut in team sports in 2028.

Mercy Nyakundi, Hamilton, Ont., women’s wheelchair basketball: In her worlds debut, the Kenyan-born Nyakundi averaged 24.6 minutes of playing time which was fourth-highest on the Canadian team behind veterans Kady Dandeneau, Arinn Young and Puisand Lai. The 21-year-old chipped in offensively and was a defensive stalwart all tournament long.

“It was very nerve wracking to play so many minutes at my first world championships,”  Nyakundi told CPC. “But my first thought is gratitude to be here on a team with some of the best players in the world. The big thing I learned was composure and the worlds were a big stepping stone in my journey.’’

Rosie Long, Oakville, Ont., women’s wheelchair basketball: The 20-year-old Long followed Nyakundi in minutes played averaging 22.1 per game doing the dirty work to create scoring opportunities for her teammates. She also gave one of the best quotes of the tournament.

‘’Defence is my favourite part of the game,’’ she said after a match in Ottawa. ‘’I’m a middle child, I’m good at getting in people’s way, so it comes naturally. The worlds are super fun, I love playing in the big arenas, it feels professional and it’s at home on top of that.’’

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Ibrahim Odza, Toronto, men’s wheelchair basketball: At only 17, Odza appears headed for a bright future in wheelchair basketball. At his first worlds in Ottawa, he averaged 15 minutes a game including 22 minutes in a crucial match against Germany. He impressed with his shooting ability particularly from the three-point range.

“The goal was always to make the national team and compete at the highest level in wheelchair basketball,” he said about being on the world championships team. “I thought I could get here, but I didn’t think I would’ve done it this young.”

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Austin MacLellan, Fredericton, wheelchair rugby: At the wheelchair rugby world championships this past summer, rookie Austin MacLellan, the first national team player from New Brunswick, led the team with 114 tries across eight games, while also earning Player of the Match honours against the Netherlands in the preliminary round. 

“Austin has grown a lot over the past year since he’s been with the program,” said Canada’s head coach and five-time Paralympian Trevor Hirschfield about the 25-year-old. “He’s one of those athletes that’s hungry to learn and excited to grow his knowledge of the sport. He puts in the work at home and he’s always working hard in training.”

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Cassandra Ruttle, Calgary, women’s goalball: Cassandra Ruttle is one of the newer players making her mark in the women’s goalball program after three longtime members of the national team retired following the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Ruttle made her world championships debut earlier this year, where Canada finished seventh.

‘’I feel I bring some strong defence especially when I play at centre,’’ Ruttle told CPC. ‘’I’ve worked really hard on my communication on the court.’’

Next week we’ll look at five Para athletes in individual sports showing potential for LA28.