Ontario Athletes Headed to 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships
Team Canada will take to the world stage on home soil this September, with 10 Ontario athletes selected to represent Canada at the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Ottawa.
Wheelchair Basketball Canada has announced the 24 athletes who will wear the maple leaf at the World Championships, taking place September 9–19, 2026, in Ottawa. The tournament will bring the world’s best wheelchair basketball nations together, with the results also determining the number of spots each zone will receive for the 2028 Paralympic Games.
Ontario Well Represented on Team Canada
ONPARA is proud to recognize the 10 Ontario athletes selected across the Senior Women’s and Senior Men’s National Teams:
Senior Women’s National Team
- Melanie Hawtin – Oakville
- Puisand Lai – Toronto
- Rosie Long – Oakville
- Mercy Nyakundi – Hamilton
- Tamara Steeves – Mississauga
Senior Men’s National Team
- Brandon Louie – Don Mills
- Lee Melymick – Toronto
- Tyler Miller – Kitchener
- Blaise Mutware – Toronto
- Ibrahim Odza – Toronto
The women’s team features a mix of experienced veterans and emerging talent. Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai and Tamara Steeves are among the experienced members of the squad, while Rosie Long and Mercy Nyakundi continue their rise on the international stage.
On the men’s side, Ontario will be represented by five athletes, including Lee Melymick, Tyler Miller and Blaise Mutware, who bring previous international experience to the squad. Brandon Louie and Ibrahim Odza will also join the roster, with Louie set to make his Senior Men’s National Team debut at the World Championships.
World Championships on Home Soil
The Senior Women’s National Team will compete in Group A alongside Brazil, China, Great Britain, Australia and Spain, while the Senior Men’s National Team will compete in Group D with Morocco, Germany and Iran.
Canada opens the tournament on Wednesday, September 9, with the women facing Spain at 4:15 p.m. EDT, followed by the men taking on Morocco at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
With the World Championships taking place in Ottawa, Canadian fans will have a unique opportunity to watch the country’s top wheelchair basketball athletes compete against the best in the world on home soil.
Congratulations to all 10 Ontario athletes on their selection! ONPARA is proud to cheer you on as you represent Canada at the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships.