Great Britain started their defense of their Paralympics wheelchair rugby title with a statement victory over world champions Australia at the Champs de Mars arena in Paris. Aaron Phipps was a crucial part of the team’s success, scoring 25 tries in the 58-55 opening win. Phipps, who was instrumental in Great Britain’s success at the Tokyo Paralympics, made vital contributions at the end of the first and second quarters as Britain started their Group B campaign in the sport known as “murderball.”
Despite the strong start, Phipps remained grounded and focused on the task ahead, stating, “It’s an amazing start but nothing’s happened yet.” Australia’s Ryley Batt acknowledged Great Britain’s performance, highlighting the importance of scoring last goals in the closely contested match. With the victory, Great Britain set the tone for their Paralympic campaign, while Australia is likely to fight for a place in the semifinals against hosts France and Denmark.
Phipps opened the scoring just 15 seconds after the tip-off, setting the tone for a closely contested match. Great Britain held on to a one-point advantage at half-time and extended their lead to 43-40 with one quarter to play. Phipps contributed significantly to the win, scoring his 21st try and then closing out the game with a final try in the dying seconds. His teammate Stuart Robinson also played a crucial role, scoring 23 tries in the match.
Despite his success on the rugby field, Phipps has overcome significant challenges in his personal life. Having had his legs and most of his fingers amputated after contracting meningitis C as a teenager, Phipps has shown resilience and determination. Eight years ago, he became the first disabled British man to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, showcasing his endurance and strength. Now, Phipps is focused on winning back-to-back Paralympic titles and is determined to achieve that goal.
In Group A, three-time former champions the USA started their gold medal bid with a narrow 51-48 victory over Canada. Sarah Adams made history by becoming the first woman to compete in wheelchair rugby at the Paralympics for the USA, scoring six tries. The opening day of wheelchair rugby action also saw Japan, the runners-up to Australia at the 2022 world championship, play against Germany in what promises to be an exciting competition. As the Paralympics progress, fans can expect more thrilling matches and outstanding performances from the world-class athletes participating in wheelchair rugby.
