Kady Dandeneau and the Canadian women’s wheelchair basketball team are on the brink of competing for the world championship gold for the first time since 2014. The 36-year-old athlete from Pender Island, British Columbia, showcased an outstanding performance against Japan in the quarterfinals, leading her team to an 88-68 victory at TD Place in Ottawa. Dandeneau dominated the game with 49 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, while her teammate Arinn Young contributed 30 points and 11 assists.
After being ejected in the previous game against Great Britain, Dandeneau entered the quarterfinal more refreshed than her teammates. The Canadian team, which previously won gold in 2014, is now set to compete in the semifinals following their victory over Japan. Despite facing a tough challenge from Japan during the middle quarters of the game, Canada managed to pull away towards the end.
Japan’s Chihiro Kitada put up a commendable performance with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in the game. The Japanese team, aiming to surpass their previous fourth-place finishes in the world championship, secured a direct qualification spot for Ottawa after being silver medallists at the Asia Oceania Championship last year.
Both Dandeneau and Young played pivotal roles in Canada’s success, continuing their impressive form throughout the tournament. With Dandeneau leading the scoring charts and Young contributing significantly in each game, the Canadian team remains undefeated at 6-0 and looks forward to the upcoming challenges in the tournament.