We are only days away from the 2018 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby World Championships, taking place in Sydney, Australia from August 5-10. This tournament will feature the top 12 countries in the world fighting for the right to be crowned world champions. The United States comes into the tournament seeded 2nd and has a rich history of successes at this stage.
Used to being at the top of the podium, the US is looking for redemption after falling to the Canadians in the crossovers and eventually securing a bronze medal at the 2014 World Championship tournament. The US is bringing with them to Australia a hungry squad, determined to earn back what they feel is their rightful spot as Champions. What they will find in their way is an impressive lineup of countries trying to make sure that does not happen.
First off is the home country of Australia. No team has beaten the US more, and they know it. Most of their training has been undoubtedly crafted around diminishing the effectiveness of Australia’s two powerhouse 3.5’s Riley Batt and Chris Bond. The Batt and Bond combination easily matches the fire power of most other nations. Australia will almost certainly end up in the gold medal game, so the US has to be careful to focus on the opponents they need to take down to get there.
The next biggest threat has to be Japan. Japan walked (figuratively) away from the 2016 Paralympics with their first medal ever at that competition, and is constantly building and developing. Securing hosting rights to the 2020 Paralympics has fueled them physically and financially to build a rapidly strengthened and robust team that is going to be tough for anyone to beat.
The third threat the US will have to worry about is my dark horse of the tournament Great Britain. GB has been on the cusp of greatness so many times the last few years that only a bit of luck (and some consistency) will certainly make them a contender. They have built a fairly strong program since the 2012 Paralympics and have been bringing in newer and better players. They will certainly be feeling the fire in their bellies from several one-point games that have kept them out of medal contention. If they can maintain composure long enough, they will be knocking on the door of the podium.
To make it out of pool play, two hurtles stand in the US’ way, Canada and GB. Canada isn’t the perennial threat they used to be, following the semi-retirement of their main threat Zak Madell after the 2016 Paralympics. While they have a lot of skill and experience on their team, they do not have the strength or depth to really pose a challenge against the previously mentioned teams. That brings us back to GB, composure and consistency is central to GB’s success in this tournament. If the US can prevent them from getting those two crucial things, things could get ugly.
Once the US makes it out of pool play, they will have to contend with Japan and Australia in the crossovers and medal games (TBD on which they will face first). That is when the real action will begin, at least the predicted real action. As with anything, surprises can and might happen.
For the US, surprises would be a bad thing, and they have put together a squad of experienced veteran and newcomer athletes to make sure surprises don’t happen. The USAWR Worlds team roster is:
0.5 - Jeff Butler – Austin, TX
1.0 - Chad Cohn – Tucson, AZ
1.0 - Lee Fredette – East Moriches, NY
1.5 - Talbot Kennedy – Atlanta, GA
1.5 - Adam Scaturro – Lakewood, CO
2.0 - Ernie Chun – Phoenix, AZ
2.0 - Joe Delagrave – Prairie du Chien, WI
2.0 - Chuck Melton – Richview, IL
2.0 - Alejandro Pabon – Beaumont, TX
2.5 - Jake Daily – Lakewood, CO
2.5 - Josh Wheeler – Tucson, AZ
3.0 - Chuck Aoki – Minneapolis, MN
Head Coach – James Gumbert
Assistant Coach – Sue Tucker
And just to give some recognition to the team’s alternates, who won’t be competing in the tournament, they are:
0.5 – Matt Milstead – Wyoming, MI
1.0 – Joe Jackson – Mesa, AZ
3.0 – Rob Deller – Marietta, GA
3.5 – Paco Torres – Tucson, AZ
The US is led by the dominant Chuck Aoki who, for years, has consistently been one of the best players in the world. Harnessing experience and skill will be key in the road to gold. The American squad has been working to build a roster around him that can give him the rest he needs to be preserved for this big games. Making sure he’s still fresh for the crossovers and medal games will be an important item to watch.
My under-the-radar player to watch on the US is Jeff Butler. Any 0.5 that can consistently inbound the ball to the three-point-arc is an invaluable asset. Look for this and his solid defense to regularly get the Americans out of some sticky situations. You probably won’t see him much on camera, but believe he is doing exactly what he is supposed to be out there.
The most interesting player to watch on the American’s squad is Alex Pabon. He is a dynamic, shifty player that makes himself known on offense and defense. His play style makes him an exciting person to watch on the court. He made the squad classified as a 2.5, but later was dropped down to a 2.0. He wasn’t on the roster for the Canada Cup earlier this year, so we really haven’t gotten to see how he fits into the team’s lineups. There are four 2.0 athletes on the team, so maybe we will get to see the mythical USA deuce line. If they can get even a flash of the brilliance of the 2008 USA deuce line, then there are some thrilling times ahead.
So are you going to Sydney to watch the games? What? No? Is Australia too far away for you? I thought so, and it is too far for me too. The good news is all games will be livestreamed from the 2018 WRWC site at https://www.2018wrwc.com/home.
What are you most looking forward to at Worlds? What are your predictions? Comment below to get the conversation started.
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