Canada emerged victorious in both the women’s and men’s divisions at the first-ever 3×3 wheelchair basketball world championships held in Sun City, South Africa. The Canadian women’s team secured a flawless record, culminating in a 17-12 triumph over Spain in the final match after going undefeated throughout the three-day tournament.
The women’s squad, comprising Kady Dandeneau, Tamara Steeves, Élodie Tessier, and Puisand Lai, faced a tough physical challenge from Spain in the final but managed to maintain composure and stick to their game plan. Dandeneau was honored as the tournament MVP, with Tessier receiving all-star recognition.
On the men’s side, Canada clinched the historic world title by defeating Spain 14-9 in a thrilling final showdown, avenging their earlier loss in the tournament. Vincent Dallaire, Colin Higgins, Lee Melymick, and Garrett Ostepchuk represented Canada, with Higgins being named the tournament MVP for his standout performance.
Both Canadian teams showcased their resilience and skill throughout the championship, with the women’s team overcoming Spain in the semifinals and the men’s team rallying past Austria in the close matches leading to their respective gold-medal games.
The 2025 IWBF 3×3 Open World Championships, organized by Wheelchair Basketball South Africa, highlighted the global growth of 3×3 wheelchair basketball and provided an opportunity for smaller nations to shine on the international stage. This successful campaign marked Canada’s second appearance in a 3×3 wheelchair basketball event, following their gold and silver medal achievements at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.