Canada’s women’s wheelchair basketball team is one win away from qualifying for the Paris Paralympics.
The Canadians beat France 76-40 on Friday to finish the group stage a perfect 3-0 at their qualifying tournament in Osaka, Japan.
The victory followed consecutive blowout wins over Japan (81-44) and Spain (77-49).
Algeria competed at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, but lost all five games it played to finish in last place with a point differential of minus-253.
The Canadian women’s team has qualified for every Paralympics but one since 1972, but is seeking its first podium appearance since winning bronze in 2004 to end a stretch of three straight gold medals.
The tournament follows the same format as the recently completed men’s qualifier, in which teams play three games to determine seeding and matchups for a do-or-die qualification game. Canada’s men went 0-3 before stunning previously unbeaten Italy to book their ticket to Paris.
Against France, Arinn Young of Legal, Alta., once again put forward a strong performance, leading the team with 26 points to go with nine assists and six rebounds. Kady Dandeneau, the Pender Island, B.C., native fresh off a 35-point outing against Spain, contributed a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Canada controlled play throughout, building a 14-6 advantage through one quarter and stretching the lead to 30-14 by halftime.
Forward Marion Blais led France with 14 points.
WATCH | Full replay of Canada vs. France:
Watch Canada face France at the women’s wheelchair basketball Paralympic qualifier in Osaka, Japan.
