The U.S. wheelchair rugby team won its first global title in 16 years, beating rival Australia in the World Championship final in São Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday.
The U.S., led by four-time Paralympian Chuck Aoki, prevailed 57-51 in a rematch of the final at the most recent worlds in 2022.
The Australians beat the Americans 54-44 in pool play on Thursday. The U.S. eked out a 50-49 win over Japan in Saturday’s semifinals, a rematch of the 2024 Paralympic final won by Japan.
The U.S. will now go into the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics as the reigning world champion, looking to claim Paralympic gold for the first time since 2008.
The U.S. earned silver or bronze at each of the last four Paralympics.
The only time a host nation won the Paralympic tournament was when the U.S. did so in wheelchair rugby’s debut as a demonstration sport at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Australia won two of the last four Paralympic titles and two of the last four world titles.
