Kady Dandeneau and her fellow Canadian women’s wheelchair basketball players are on the brink of competing for the world championship title, marking their first shot at gold since 2014. The 36-year-old athlete, hailing from Pender Island, B.C., showcased an impressive performance against Japan in the quarterfinals, scoring a game-best 49 points along with 12 rebounds and eight assists in an 88-68 triumph at TD Place in Ottawa.
Dandeneau, who was notably more rested than her teammates following an ejection in the previous match against Great Britain, where she received a second unsportsmanlike foul in the final minutes of double overtime, was a dominant force on the court. Alongside her, Arinn Young, the other key player for Canada, contributed significantly with 30 points and 11 assists. The team, which previously clinched the gold in 2014, has now secured a spot in the semifinals scheduled for Thursday, advancing from their fifth-place finish in the last world championships in Dubai in 2023.
Despite facing tough competition from Japan, the undefeated Canadian team (6-0) managed to maintain their lead, outscoring their opponents in the crucial final moments. Japan struggled to recover after falling behind early in the game, with Dandeneau and Young both delivering strong performances in the opening quarter. Notably, both players had previously excelled in a match against Japan during the repechage tournament in Osaka on April 17, 2024, where they each scored 20 points in an 81-46 victory, securing a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Chihiro Kitada, the standout forward for Japan, put up a commendable effort with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in the quarterfinal match. Despite her impressive performance, Japan fell short against the Canadian powerhouse duo of Dandeneau and Young, who have been leading in scoring throughout the tournament.
In their pursuit to improve upon their fourth-place finishes in previous world championships, the Japanese team, led by Kitada, aimed to secure a higher rank this year. Although they were silver medallists at the Asia Oceania Championship last year, earning the second direct qualification spot for Ottawa, they faced a tough challenge against the Canadian team.
The intense matchup saw Amane Yanagimoto contributing with 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists for Japan. Young, who led the scoring for Canada with 32 points, was closely followed by Dandeneau, who maintained her impressive average of 24.5 points per game and also tallied 16 rebounds and 12 assists in the quarterfinal clash.
