Saturday, November 18th, 2023.- In a display of their entire prowess, the United States made their debut in the wheelchair rugby competition at Santiago 2023, defeating Chile convincingly with a score of 62-27.

The Americans are the current Parapan American champions, a title they earned at Lima 2019. Additionally, in the first appearance of this discipline in the continental event, at Toronto 2015, they secured the second position. In other words, they are a regional powerhouse, and this Saturday they made it clear by dominating from start to finish at the Centro de Deportes Colectivos at the Estadio Nacional.

Wheelchair rugby matches last for 32 minutes, divided into four quarters of eight minutes each. All of them were dominated by the United States.

They won the first quarter 17-4, by the end of the second, their lead had already extended to 30-10, and in the third, they further widened the gap to 47-15. Only the last quarter, with the result already decided, was a bit more balanced.

The top scorer of the game was the American Zion Redington, with 26 points, while Christian Madariaga stood out for Chile with nine.

Wheelchair rugby teams consist of four players, and tries are worth one point. It is a mixed sport, although the squads are predominantly composed of men.

At Santiago 2023, six teams are participating, and in the initial round, they compete against each other before advancing to the final phase. In the upcoming matches, Canada will face Argentina, and Brazil will play against Colombia, both on the same Saturday.

Written by Esteban Gómez; translated by Pía Barriga / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Luis Hidalgo / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport