Ones to Watch at the 2018 Canada Cup

In 2 weeks, the Richmond Olympic Oval will host the world’s best wheelchair rugby players. Here are 6 key players (one from each team) to look out for before the competition starts.

Australia: #3 Ryley Batt (3.5)
Ryley Batt is arguably the world’s best wheelchair rugby player. He made his debut for Australia as a 14-year-old in 2003 and has been the sport’s most dominant player of the decade. He possesses a lethal combination of speed and power that is difficult for any opposing team to stop.

USA: #5 Chuck Aoki (3.0)
Aoki was the MVP of the 2016 Canada Cup and will lead the Americans in their pursuit of a sixth Canada Cup. The 28 year-old has developed into the face of USA Wheelchair Rugby in the past few years and will be counted on to make big plays for the Americans in Richmond.

Canada: #10 Trevor Hirschfield (1.0)
The Canadian co-captain will have plenty of family and friends in the stands during the Canada Cup. Hirschfield’s known as one of the best low-point players in the world and has made a habit of making game-saving plays for Canada.

Japan: #7 Daisuke Ikezaki (3.0)
Ikezaki is among the world’s quickest and most dominant players. He led Japan to their first Paralympic medal in 2016. He’s incredibly agile and adept at getting around defenders for tries in both the open floor and key area.

Sweden: #22 Tomas Hjert (2.5)
Hjert is one of Sweden’s primary ball-handlers and should play an important role for the Swedes. He’s a very patient player that can keep opponents guessing and links up well with teammate Tobias Sandberg to form a powerful 1-2 punch.

Denmark: #3 Leon Jørgenson (3.0)
Jørgenson is one of the most experienced players in the Danish side and is a big reason for their rise up the world rankings in the past five years. The 33-year-old always plays with great intensity and should dish out plenty of hard hits.