Australian Gliders Retain Osaka Cup

WAIS wheelchair basketball athletes Amber Merritt and Sarah Vinci have helped the Australian Gliders retain their Osaka Cup title following an un-defeated campaign in the team’s first event since the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

The London silver medallists featured in a new look Gliders team that has begun the long process of building towards the 2016 campaign in Rio.

If their performance in Osaka is any indication, the Gliders will remain formidable on the international scene, after recording two wins over both Canada and hosts Japan to win the 2013 event.

The Gliders began the tournament on Thursday with a win over Canada 60-55 in a match that saw all 12 players receive court time.

They backed up on Friday with a win over host nation Japan 50-43 with once again all players taking to the floor and representing Australia with pride.

The third and final day of the event saw the girls take back to back wins defeating Canada 59-46 and Japan 54-48.

19 year-old Merritt – who was one of the finds of the 2012 London Paralympic Games – was again a regular contributor under the basket for the Australians, whilst Vinci – a low pointer – again provided brilliant defensive cover, with her ability to shut-out scoring opportunities for opposition high pointers, again a feature of her game.

The successful tour was capped off when captain Shelley Chaplin was awarded tournament MVP.

Since 2007, the Gliders have won the Osaka Cup five times in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013 while they have been runners-up in 2007 and 2011.

It was the first international tournament for the Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team, since their silver medal winning performance at the London Paralympic Games.

– with Basketball Australia