Australia win wheelchair rugby gold

Ryley Batt scored 37 goals as Australia won Paralympic gold in the wheelchair rugby
9 September 2012

Australia were crowned Paralympic wheelchair rugby champions after their star player Ryley Batt produced a virtuoso performance in a 66-51 victory over Canada at the Basketball Arena.

Canada, semi-final conquerors of 2008 Paralympic gold medallists the United States on Saturday, had no answer to Australia's greater speed and organisation.

And they did not have a clue how to cope with Batt, who cemented his reputation as the world's best player.

The 23-year-old, appearing in his third Paralympics, scored 37 goals to give him a remarkable tally of 160 from his five tournament starts.

Canada were effectively out of contention by the end of the first quarter, when they trailed 18-11, and Australia required no second invitation to turn the screw.

The silver medallists at Beijing went one better this time around, ending the five-day tournament as its only unbeaten team.

They collected Australia's 32nd gold medal of the Games, and 85th in total.

The United States took bronze, with Japan finishing fourth and Great Britain fifth, which was one place lower than they managed in Beijing.

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