Wheelchair Rugby
Jonathan Hivernat of France competes during the Wheelchair Rugby match between United States and France at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games (Photo by Raphael Dias/Getty Images)
2016 Getty Images
After five days of hard fought competition at the 2020 Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic Qualification tournament, Canada and France have become the final two nations to secure their spot at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Held at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, British Columbia, seven countries including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland were looking to book their ticket to Tokyo 2020.
Hosts Canada were looking to qualify for their seventh consecutive Paralympics while Brazil, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland were all hoping to return to the biggest stage for para sports. For Colombia, a spot at their first Paralympics was up for grabs.
The first four-days of play featured a round-robin format with all seven teams playing each other. On the final day of competition, the top four teams played in two finals, with the winners of each match awarded a ticket to Tokyo 2020.
France was the first team to qualify after dominating the Germans 54 - 30. The Tokyo 2020 Games will be their third Paralympics after appearances at both London 2012 and Rio 2016.
In the days second final, an undefeated Canada took on Colombia, achieving a strong 57 - 46 win, and a coveted trip to Tokyo.
Canada and France join Australia, Denmark, Great Britain, New Zealand, United States, and host country Japan who have already qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
FINAL STANDINGS
- Canada (7-0)
- France (6-1)
- Germany (4-3)
- Colombia (3-4)
- Sweden (2-4)
- Switzerland (1-5)
- Brazil (0-6)
