THE START LINE
Your Para Sport Journey
Begins Here
The Australian Steelers will return home from the 2026 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship with a silver medal.
The United States won the final 57-51, ending a 16-year wait for World Championship glory level and avenging their painful loss to the Steelers in the 2022 decider.
It brought to an end what was otherwise an outstanding tournament for the Steelers, who won each of their matches before the final by nine tries or more in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Australian captain Chris Bond said he was immensely proud of what his squad achieved against the world’s best, which he hopes has provided a solid foundation on which to build their LA 2028 Paralympic Games campaign.
I see many years of success ahead of us.
“The game didn’t go as we’d planned it, but you know, in retrospect I am really proud of the team. We’ve performed excellently,” Bond said.
“Everyone has played a role. Everyone’s been a part of every game, and it’s, I think, probably the strongest squad we’ve had.
“I see many years of success ahead of us. [It’s been a] flawless competition, except for the final, and unfortunately, that sports sometimes.”
It’s the third time from five world championship finals that the Australians have come away with the silver medal, also falling in the 2018 and 2010 deciders. Their two victories came in 2022 and 2014.
The form reversal from both teams following the Australians’ 54-44 win in the pool rounds less than a week ago will also no doubt be a focus for the Steelers’ coaching staff during the post-tournament review.
Just really proud of our team, how we’ve conducted ourselves, and everyone’s performance.
“America were unbelievable. So hats off to them, they did their homework after the pool rounds, and they’ve come in really hot,” Bond said.
“Just really proud of our team, how we’ve conducted ourselves, and everyone’s performance.”
Your Para Sport Journey
Begins Here
Playing in their fifth consecutive World Championship and seeking to defend their 2022 World Title to become the first Australian team to accomplish that feat, the Steelers were simply outclassed by their American opponents who showed more desperation to reemerge as the world’s best team.
Led by their chief playmaker Chuck Aoki and the composed, reliable Sarah Adam, the Americans took a one-goal lead into half-time and then tightened the screws in the third quarter, orchestrating turnovers and ill-discipline from the Australians to consolidate their advantage.
The Steelers showed characteristic determination until the final siren, but destiny finally favoured the Americans who had won a silver and two bronze medals from the previous three World Championships to go with their silver medals from the past three Paralympic Games.
The relief from Aoki was arguably more evident than his jubilation at full-time, having been part of every major campaign for the United States since 2010.
I was just a little kid with a disability once, who didn’t know if I could play sports. Here I am on top of the world.
“It feels incredible being a world champion. I’m so proud of this team. We have such an amazing group of athletes – men and women – who worked so, so hard to get here,” Aoki told World Wheelchair Rugby.
“It’s been a long time since the USA was on top. I’m just so proud of the effort and the heart we put in.
“You know, I was just a little kid with a disability once, who didn’t know if I could play sports. Here I am on top of the world, so hopefully there’s a kid out there who sees they can do it, too. I’m just so happy.”
2026 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Final Standings
Paralympics Australia is only able to continue doing its work driving the Paralympic Movement forward in Australia because of the generous support it receives from Government, Corporate Partners and donors.
The focus continues to be on delivering teams to each Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and supporting Para athletes as they enter and progress through the Para sport system and into their post-sporting careers.
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