The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics proved to be a historic event, with Great Britain returning a first Gold Paralympic medal to Europe. USA and Japan rounding off the medals with Silver and Bronze respectively.
The WWR social media team was on hand throughout the Wheelchair Rugby tournament at the games. The team focused on the three main social media platforms of the WWR and surpassed the coverage of previous games.
In addition, the WWR Office oversaw the first stage of the implementation of the WWR Brand launch and worked with the brand consultants and creative agency Cossette to change over the initial social media channels and help to launch the new WWR website. More work is required on this, but the initial stages of implementation have been successful since the launch on the 17th August and the run into the Tokyo Paralympics.
Facebook
Currently there are 8,014 people who like the WWR Facebook page.
The rundown of the engagement throughout the Paralympic Games:
Accounts Reached
Engagement
Pre-Games (17th – 24th August)
76,322
2,881
Day One
10,731
1,041
Day Two
8,297
655
Day Three
16,227
1,589
Day Four
12,127
1,871
Day Five
40,629
6,616
Post-Games (30th – 02nd September)
32,617
4,440
Instagram
The Instagram account of WWR was reactivated on the 10th August. As of 02/09 WWR has 1,102 followers, gaining 252 followers (a 23% increase) over the Paralympic games period we achieved 38,730 impressions.
The Instagram posted a total of 82 story slides. From these we had a combined engagement of 28,172 an average of 344 views per slide.
The rundown of engagement throughout the Paralympic Games:
Accounts Reached
Engagement
Pre-Games (17th – 24th August)
1,685
169
During Games
5,240
1,111
Post-Games (30th – 02nd September)
1,325
197
Twitter
The WWR twitter account was the most active over the games period, with a large proportion of the total WWR engagement via this social media platform. Currently the WWR twitter account has 20.2k followers gaining 606 throughout the Paralympic games period.
The rundown of engagement throughout the Paralympic Games:
Impressions
Engagement
Pre-Games (17th – 24th August)
17,828
606
Day One
65,762
1,927
Day Two
12,299
717
Day Three
10,493
1,531
Day Four
9,937
1,977
Day Five
115,984
19,301
Post-Games (30th – 02nd September)
17,145
888
During day 5 the bronze medal Japan post received 85k impressions on its own.
Website
The new WWR brand included the launching of a new website on the 17th August. Since this date the website has seen an average of 750 visits per day, with visits doubling to circa 1,500 visits throughout the Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Tournament.
The WWR would like to thank Megumi Masuda, Tracey Savell Reavis, Beau Greenway, Tom O’Brien and Aaron Whitehead.
The top teams in the world just finished an amazing Paralympic tournament in Tokyo, but Covid-19 left the stands completely devoid. In October 2022, however, fans will be able to experience Wheelchair Rugby’s best in Vejle, Denmark.
Wheelchair Rugby is more popular than ever in Denmark, and the national team has just finished competing at it’s first ever Paralympic Games after successfully qualifying for Tokyo 2020 at the 2019 European Championship in Vejle. That event saw Spektrum arena in Vejle packed to the brim, and the many fans set the perfect stage for an unforgettable tournament that saw Paralympic champion’s Great Britain come out on top.
Next year, Vejle aims to kick things further up a notch for the 2022 World Championship. Once again, the goal is to fill Spektrum and create the atmosphere that has been so sorely missed at the just finished Paralympic Games. Fan capacity has been expanded due to high ticket demand experienced in 2019, and the first tickets are available now.
Event director Torben Nygaard is pleased to be able to launch the ticket sales as well as the event website.
“We are really looking forward to hosting the World Championship next year and creating a safe and fun fan experience is a high priority for the organising team. For the teams competing, there is no better feeling than playing in front of happy fans, and we hope to once again see many Danes as well as travelling supporters in Spektrum” said Torben Nygaard.
President Richard Allcroft of the newly rebranded World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) said: “I was so pleased to see that Denmark were interested in hosting the 2022 World Championship. In particular, returning to the city of Vejle. The Danish people and the city welcomed us in 2019 for the European Championship and I remember the spectators enjoying our sport and making plenty of noise. We are now World Wheelchair Rugby, and our new brand has been received well. We feel this reflects our sport in a more positive and vibrant way. The focus has just been on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, but if you want more wheelchair rugby then join us in Denmark in October 2020. My thanks to the organising committee for the huge amount of work and commitment they have put into the event. Especially, through the challenging year that we had in 2020. Of course, we are still working through the challenges of a pandemic, and we have every confidence that the 2022 World Championship will take place in a safe environment.
The 2022 WWR World Championship will take place in Vejle on October 10-16, 2022.
Monday 10th through Thursday 13th, October 2022, there will be a morning session with free entry and an afternoon/evening session with two or three games in Spektrum with paid admission. A Silver Ticket, which includes entry to all four evening sessions, can be purchased online now for 125 or 200 DKK each depending on choice of seat.
Golden Ticket
Friday 14th through Sunday 16th, October 2022, is the knock-out tournament. A Golden Ticket will allow entry to all the games. Tickets can be purchased online now for 125 or 200 DKK each depending on choice of seat.
Wheelchair users and others needing personal attendance can buy a ticket and bring a personal attendant for free. These tickets can also be purchased online now.
At a later time single day tickets will be available for purchase. More information about the Fans and Family Program will also be announced later on the website.
About the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship
Denmark will host the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship in DGI Huset, Vejle. Parasport Danmark (NPC Denmark) and World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) will organize the event with the Municipality of Vejle and Sport Event Denmark. The event is supported by Parasport Danmarks main sponsors JYSK, Pressalit and Elsass Fonden, as well as Musholm, main sponsor of wheelchair rugby in Denmark.
Great Britain made history by becoming the first European nation to win Paralympic gold in Wheelchair Rugby with a 54-49 salute in the Tokyo 2020 final on Sunday.
After a momentous win against host nation Japan, 55-49, on Saturday, to guarantee a medal, Great Britain ensured its greatest ever performance at a Paralympic Games would result in the sport’s ultimate prize with a sublime performance against the USA in the decider.
Just five players were used by Great Britain for the entirety of the contest as star playmaker Jim Roberts (24 tries, three steals) and low-pointers Ryan Cowling and Jonny Coggan were on court for the whole match.
Great Britain’s 3.5-classified players Aaron Phipps (11 tries) and Paralympic debutant Stuart Robinson (14 tries) split minutes on the court and also turned in huge performances.
Similar to the meeting with USA in the pool phase, which saw Great Britain open up a five-try buffer, they again got off to a flying start to lead 15-12 at the first break.
Great Britain extended it to four with the first try of the second term, but the pressure was immense from both sides.
USA was forced to use its final player timeout halfway through the quarter, while Great Britain was reduced to one.
Phipps crossed to make the margin three with just over five seconds to play, but some brilliance from USA saw Chuck Aoki cross after a perfect long inbound from Josh Wheeler to close it to two (26-24) at the main break.
USA had first possession in the second half and reduced the gap to one and they were level at 29-29 shortly after when Phipps missed the target with a short pass.
The quarter remained even throughout, but Great Britain got the all-important final score as Cowling crossed with 3.6 seconds on the clock to give his side a 37-36 lead with a quarter to play.
Possession was in favour of Great Britain, but USA made the perfect start when Aoki and Joe Delagrave teamed up to knock down Robinson and force a turnover, which they converted to make it 37-37.
Robinson got his revenge soon after when he delivered a perfect hit on Delagrave to win the ball back and put Great Britain ahead 42-40 with five and a half minutes to play.
A fumble from Chad Cohn two minutes later was stolen by Roberts and eventually converted by Robinson to make it a three-try lead with less than three minutes to go.
USA had to take more risks in order to cause a late turnaround, but Great Britain forced another two turnovers and held their nerve to record a famous 54-49 victory, sealed by Robinson’s 14th try on the stroke of the final buzzer.
Roberts revealed it’s set to be his last tournament as an international player, but he couldn’t have asked for a better way to go out.
“I’ll never say never, but I think it will be pretty cool to bow out on top,” Roberts said.
“The body feels a little bit wrecked to be honest and I don’t think I can continue to keep hurting myself for the game.
“We stuck to our game plan and managed to keep them out of the key because that was a big win for them in the first game.
“We knew if they tried to press we’d have the speed to get around them a little bit.
“I’m glad it didn’t go to overtime to be honest, but Aaron and Stu were massive. They’ve progressed so much in the last couple of years and it’s amazing the world got to see that.”
After three fourth-place finishes for Great Britain at both the Paralympics and World Championships, Roberts said the overarching emotion was relief to be part of the first European team to medal at the Games.
It was probably one of the better games in terms of nerves I’d felt going into because we had secured a medal now it was about could we get Gold!.
“I obviously still wanted to win, but it didn’t feel do or die and I think that helped free us up a bit. As a team, that’s a performance we can be proud of.
“A massive thanks to all the guys who set up GB Wheelchair Rugby all those years ago and have pushed it on. There’s been so many that have come so close and they’re all part of this journey and part of the legacy now that we’ve actually done it.”
Ultimately, USA was unable to go one better than Rio 2016 after it defeated defending Paralympic champions Australia, 49-42, in the semi-finals a day earlier.
Aoki (18 tries) and Wheeler’s (21 tries) partnership was on show with a number of fine passes executed between the pair, but it wasn’t enough to deliver the USA its first gold medal since Beijing 2008.
“It’s a disappointment certainly. We wanted gold, so we’re frustrated and sad, but at the end of the day I’m proud of my team,” USA star high-pointer Chuck Aoki said.
“We go into every match confident and we thought we had a good strategy and game plan.
“They [Great Britain] certainly made some adjustments that were effective on their offence and their defence and we perhaps weren’t prepared for that. I thought we weathered the storm early, but towards the end we broke before they did unfortunately.
“We made a few adjustments we thought would be effective, but they made a few more and their pressure was a little too much for us to handle today.”
Aoki said the gut-wrenching double-overtime loss in the gold medal game to Australia in Rio five years ago was spoken about by some of the team, but wasn’t a motivating factor for the Tokyo final.
“We dispatched Australia in the semi-final so we kind of put that [Rio 2016] to bed so to speak, but I think this was a different match for us,” Aoki said.
“We tried to focus on Great Britain and take care of business.
“It’s great for the sport to have so much depth across the board. It makes it harder for us, but as a fan of the sport I’m very happy to see it.
“We had to battle through so much adversity just to get to this point with the pandemic. I love to be part of this team and I know we’ll come back strong.
“I know the team will certainly reload as quickly as we can because we’ve got the World Championship just around the corner [in Vejle, Denmark, October 2022].”
Japan matched its effort from Rio 2016 with a bronze medal after a 62-50 win against Australia.
Australia was unable to field its preferred high-low lineup, featuring captain Ryley Batt and Chris Bond, as 0.5 classified player Mick Ozanne was ruled out with illness, and Japan piled on the pressure to lead 14-11 at the first break.
The buffer was five at the half, but Australia closed it to three early in the third quarter, before a host of turnovers saw Japan race to a commanding 45-36 advantage heading into the final period.
Veteran Daisuke Ikezaki was outstanding on both ends of the court. He led the way with 23 tries and four steals.
Japan went on to complete a 60-52 victory and assure Australia finished the tournament with just one win and missed the podium for the first time in Wheelchair Rugby since Athens 2004.
Australia was somewhat fortunate to progress to the semi-finals after Paralympic debutants Denmark pulled off a stunning 54-53 victory against the reigning champions on day one.
The Steelers dug deep to beat France in their second match, and despite a four-try loss to Japan in the final pool game, Australia reached the top four via a tiebreak having boasted the best try difference of the three teams locked on one win, after France defeated Denmark.
France showed massive improvement with two-try losses to Japan and Australia in the pool phase, but went on to finish sixth after a 57-49 loss to Canada in the playoff match.
Denmark had to settle for seventh, but finished on a high with a 56-53 triumph against New Zealand.
The dust has settled on the Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic tournament, Great Britain made history by becoming the first European Nation to win Paralympic gold. While USA and Japan rounded off the medals with silver and bronze respectively.
During the tournament Beau Greenway on behalf of the WWR interviewed Michelle Nicholas Covid Liaison Office and Jacques Erasmus Chief Classifier of the event. Discussing topics such as the Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, Paralympic hopes, and the future of WWR.
Michelle Nicholas
COVID Liaison Officer World Wheelchair Rugby
Assistant Technical Delegate at Tokyo 2020
Michelle Nicholas was the COVID Liaison Officer for World Wheelchair Rugby at the Tokyo Paralympic Games a really important role to ensure all the officials followed covid protocols throughout the games.
In 2016, she was asked to come on board to assist with recruitment and training of table officials for the annual Australian national championships held in Sydney and has been involved ever since. Nicholas’ first major involvement with wheelchair rugby was the 2018 World Championship in Sydney as the score table co-ordinator. The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was her first time travelling for wheelchair rugby.
Jacques Erasmus
Chief Classifier for World Wheelchair Rugby, Tokyo 2020
Jacques was the Chief Classifier for World Wheelchair Rugby, at Tokyo 2020 games and managed a team of six international classifiers – ensuring all the administrative aspects around classification at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games were addressed.
WWR: How did you first get involved with wheelchair rugby?
Erasmus: In 2005 during the Asia-Oceania Zonal Championships in South Africa.
Nicholas: I first got involved as a table official for wheelchair rugby at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
WWR: What excited you about the sport?
Erasmus: I investigated various sports during the time I managed a Rehabilitation Unit in an attempt to get clients involved in sport early on during their rehabilitation phase and certainly following after rehabilitation.
Nicholas: I loved this new and exciting sport having been involved with wheelchair basketball for several years prior to this.
WWR: What do you like the most?
Erasmus: The game is tactical, fast paced, and full contact – all of which contributes to a very exciting game.
Nicholas: Anyone who watches it for the first time is blown away by how energetic the games are and how intense the contact is.
WWR: What would you tell people who’ve never seen the sport before?
Erasmus: Get ready to be excited and inspired at the same time!
Nicholas: I would tell anyone that has not seen the sport of wheelchair rugby before that it is something that everyone should experience. Watch one game and you will be hooked.
WWR: What do you see for the future of the sport? For the future of WWR?
Erasmus: The sport of Wheelchair Rugby will continue to grow, and I hope that further development will be soon possible again in the developing nations.
Nicholas: I see the future of the sport as one that sees more countries and therefore more athletes from across the globe participating, and eventually, just like Denmark, who have the opportunity to debut at the Paralympics.
Wheelchair Rugby provides a ton of fun and excitement to fans watching matches. But to those involved with the sport, it provides so much more. When you talk to the players, coaches and support staff, they all say the same thing–wheelchair rugby is family.
Here are the stories of those who bring the game to life.
Jon Corson
Vice Chair WWR Technical Committee
Head Official Tokyo Paralympics
Assistant Technical Delegate 2022 World Championships
Jon Corson is currently the Assistant Head of the WWR Technical Committee. He has held various positions within the WWR including a rules committee member, Asia-Oceania Zone Technical Commissioner and Acting President Asia-Oceania. In Tokyo, Jon will serve as the Head Official for the Tokyo Paralympic Games and later, as the Assistant Technical Delegate for the 2022 World Championships in Denmark. Jon will head up the officiating team at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wheelchair Rugby Tournament.
WWR: How did you first get involved with wheelchair rugby?
Corson: I was first introduced to wheelchair rugby at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney. I watched the opening session to see what it was like and I was hooked! I ended up attending every session thereafter. When I moved to Brisbane, Australia the following year I volunteered with Sporting Wheelies where I was asked to help out refereeing.
WWR: What excited you about the sport?
Corson: The physical nature of the sport, with its full contact and the determination of those involved.
WWR: What do you like the most?
Corson: While the contact and physicality of the sport attracted me, it is the global friendships and nature of the wider sporting family that makes this sport one that I love.
WWR: What are you looking forward to in Tokyo?
Corson: Leading up to the Tokyo games the teams have become a lot closer in their competitiveness. This means all games at the tournament will be key and Tokyo 2020 could see a newcomer to the Paralympic Podium.
WWR: What would you tell people who’ve never seen the sport before?
Corson: Watch a game and be prepared to be energised. This game gets under your skin, challenges your mindset and is brutally contact oriented. Be prepared for winning at all costs.
WWR: What do you see for the future of the sport? For the future of WWR?
Corson: We have just changed our name to World Wheelchair Rugby with a new website and brand designed to showcase our athletes and continue growing our global family in all areas. We are the first sport to sell out to packed stadiums at Paralympics and want to bring rugby to all parts of the globe – it is a team sport that gives as much off court as on to those involved.
Joe Delagrave, who is a keynote speaker and coach of navy wounded warriors wheelchair rugby program, first learned about wheelchair rugby by searching for sports for quads. Then while watching the Beijing Paralympic Games, I realized it was a Paralympic sport. He decided then to make that his goal. Two years later he competed at the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Vancouver, Canada, where the U.S. won gold. Joe made his first Paralympic team at the 2012 Games in London.
How does an elite Paralympic athlete pack for competitions? We asked Joe Delagrave to share his tips for packing.
Joe Delagrave’s Pro tips for packing:
First, have your wife or significant other do it. Haha, just kidding.
For real though.
No. 1. I have a rectangular electronics bag that is small enough to fit in my backpack. I have all my cords and chargers in one spot, and it takes the headache out of forgetting to bring that one cord.
No. 2. I’m not a checklist guy, nope. However, I will run through my head what I have in three different areas. 1-My rugby gear, 2-My apparel for rugby, and 3-My clothes.
No. 3. I lay everything all out first before putting it into a suitcase. This way I can see everything I’ll put in there instead of being halfway through and thinking… ‘Did I actually put that in there?’
At the age of 18, Hitoshi Ogawa fell during a motocross race and damaged his cervical spinal cord. While in the hospital, he got to know about wheelchair rugby and was selected for a Japanese team training camp at the age of 23. He is blessed with a good physique, and his power and speed are his strong points, as well as his passing skills. He was hospitalised at the same time as Shunya Nakamachi, who is also a Japanese team member of the same age, and it was Ogawa who invited him to play. They work together as the next generation of young players to take the Japanese team to the next level.
Favourite athlete: Yuui Hoshino (Motocross), Gota Otsuka (Motocross) iPhone or Android? iPhone Twitter or Instagram? Instagram Cats or dogs? Dog Last country visited: South Korea Favourite world landmark: None Favourite cartoon character: Stitch Favourite superhero: None Beach or mountains? Beach Favourite Actor / Actress? Takayuki Yamada (Actor/Japan) Favourite all time movie: None Favourite sporting team: None Favourite athlete: None
Most used App: Instagram Last app you downloaded: SUMO Favourite video game: MX vs ATV Favourite snack: Butamen (packed dried noodle)
Highlight of your sporting career? Inbound miss at the 2019 AOZ.
Favourite subject in school: Math What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? None If you could have a chat with anyone, dead or alive, who would you select? Grandmother (already passed away)
As a keen sportsman, Jamie tried a number of sports before settling on wheelchair rugby.
He made his international debut at the Canada cup in 2014 and has gone on to represent GB at European and World level, returning from the European Championships in Finland with a gold medal. Jamie made his Paralympic debut at the 2016 Rio Paralympic games where he was an integral member of the team.
Jamie has continued to grow as a player and was a key part of the squad’s success defending their title at the 2017 European championships.
Aaron’s Workout playlist —
1. Zombie, Bad Wolves
2. Killing in the Name, Rage Against the Machine
3. Lose Yourself, Eminem
4. Too Many Man, Skepta
5. Come With Me, Special D
Favorite athlete: Cristiano Ronaldo
iPhone or Android? Android
Twitter or Instagram? Twitter
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Last country visited: Japan
Favorite world landmark: Christ the Redeemer
What is on their walls at home? Paint and wallpaper
Favorite superhero: Thor
Beach or mountains? Beach
Favorite Actor / Actress? Adam Sandler
Favorite all time movie: Rocky 3
Favorite football team: Manchester United
Favorite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Most used App: WhatsApp
Last App you downloaded: OCHA
Favorite video game: GTA 5
Favorite anime character: Ash Ketchum
Which would you rather win — a Grammy or an Oscar? Grammy
Favorite subject in school: Physical education
What three words describe you? Athlete, funny, rainman
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? If you have to ask if it’s okay it’s probably not
Jonathan, born in Figeac in 1991, discovered wheelchair rugby in 2010 at a demonstration. After seeing the energy of the players, Jonathan was hooked the same day and he’s never left. He met three people that day, who were decisive for his sporting future: Nicolas Costes, the coach, Pablo Neuman, player and president of the club and Olivier Cusin, coach of the French wheelchair rugby team. After a year of wheelchair rugby practice, Jonathan made an impression during the French Championships. Today, he is one of the best European and international players, captain of Stade Toulousain Rugby Handisport since 2012 and captain of the French wheelchair rugby team since 2015.
Favorite athlete: Roger Federer
iPhone or Android? Android
Twitter or Instagram? Instagram
Cats or dogs? Cats
Last country visited: Britain
Favorite cartoon character: Bugs Bunny
Favorite superhero: Batman
Beach or mountains? Beach
Favorite Actor / Actress? Pierce Brosnan
Favorite all time movie: Untouchable
Favorite football team: Chelsea
Favorite football player: N’Golo Kante
Most used App: Instagram
Last App you downloaded: Kahoot!
Favorite video game: Gran Turismo 7
Favorite anime character: Olive and Tom
Which would you rather win — a Grammy or an Oscar? Oscar
Favorite subject in school: Mathematics
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? You have to know how to give yourself the means to be able to give yourself the chance to succeed and especially to fully live the present moment without feeling remorse.
“I love Brazilian music because it is my favorite country and culture. I’ve already been there five times. My favorite song ever is «Sabanas Blancas» from Omi Hernandez.”
Top 4 Favorite Artists:
Thiago Brava
Zé Neto
Gabriel Diniz
Omi Hernandez
Favorite athlete: My favorite athlete is Ryley Batt, for a few reasons. He is the best rugby player ever but more, he is the rugby player who is the most nice and humble in the rugby world! It’s very easy to speak and spend time with him.
iPhone or Android? iPhone
Twitter or Instagram? Instagram
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Last country visited: Brazil
Favorite superhero: Wolverine
Beach or mountains? Beach
Favorite Actor / Actress? Will Smith
Favorite all time movie: Collateral Beauty
Favorite football team: Olympique de Marseille
Favorite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Most used App: Instagram
Last App you downloaded: Olympic!
Favorite video game: FIFA
Favorite anime character: Olive et Tom
Which would you rather win — a Grammy or an Oscar? Grammy
Favorite subject in school: Mathematics
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Never respect someone who don’t respect you
If you could have a chat with anyone, dead or alive, who would you select? Michael Jordan, Will Smith and Michelle Rodriguez
