The Four Nations Wheelchair Rugby Invitational was held on May 22-25, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama at the Lakeshore Foundation. Four of the top five teams in the world battled for the championship with Great Britain claiming Gold 49-47 over USA. In the Bronze Medal match, Japan defeated Australia 54-53.
The tournament was extremely close with all four teams going 3-3 during the first three days.
“The USA has consistently finished on the podium in the world and Paralympic competition since the inception of wheelchair rugby. But the USA does not just want to be on the podium. They want to be on top. Four Nations will be a good test for the 2020 U.S. Paralympic team hopefuls. Australia enters competition ranked #1 in the world. But after a surprise title-match loss to Japan at the 2018 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship, they know gold is not always guaranteed. Can Australia rise to the challenge at Four Nations and claim the top spot? Great Britain has been climbing its way up the rankings, finishing a historic fourth place at the 2018 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship. But can they make it on the podium in Tokyo 2020? Four Nations 2019 will test the patience and perseverance of the team. Japan comes into Four Nations with renewed confidence after its gold-medal performance at the 2018 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship. The team looks to carry that momentum into Four Nations and take the title.”
Match Schedule
Wednesday, May 22
- USA 50-51. Great Britain
- Japan 53-52 Australia
- Great Britain 59-60 Japan
- Australia 38-46 USA
Thursday, May 23
- Great Britain 60-62 Australia
- Japan 45-49 USA
- USA 45-52 Great Britain
- Australia 52-51 Japan
Friday, May 24
- USA 54-53 Japan (Overtime)
- Great Britain 58-52 Australia
- Japan 55-54 Great Britain
- Australia 56-54 USA
Saturday, May 25
- Bronze Medal Game – Japan 54-53 Australia
- Gold Medal Game – Great Britain 49-47 USA
2019 USA Wheelchair Rugby Four Nations Roster
Co-Captain, number 14 Joe Delagrave
Number 3, Joe Jackson
Number 4, Adam Scaturro
Number 5, Chuck Aoki
Number 9, Eric Newby
Number 10, Josh Wheeler
Number 11, Lee Fredette
Number 13, Clayton Braun
Number 15, Jake Daily
Number 20, Kevin Hamilton
Number 23, Alex Pabon
And number 33, Ray Hennagir
Head Coach – James Gumbert.
Assistant Coach – Sue Tucker
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