Wheelchair rugby: Canada punches ticket to Tokyo

RICHMOND, B.C. – Canada is going to the Paralympic Games in wheelchair rugby after a 57-46 semifinal victory over Colombia on Sunday at a qualifying tournament.

In the other semifinal, France gained the second Tokyo spot defeating Germany 54-30. The Paralympic Games are August 26 to September 5 in the Japanese capital. There was no final at this tournament.

‘’It’s amazing, it’s such an honour to represent Canada,’’ said Mike Whitehead, who has played at four Paralympic Games. ‘’We have so much support, I’m just ecstatic. I have about 10 feelings and they are all great.’’

Veteran Fabien Lavoie said Colombia played much better than expected.

‘’We really had to play as a team because Colombia came out really strong,’’ he said. ‘’They played with a lot of desperation.’’

The Canadians, ranked fifth in the world, complete the seven-country Games qualifier with a perfect 7-0 record.