Canadian women's, men's 3x3 wheelchair basketball teams win gold at inaugural world championships

Canada won gold in both the women's and men's tournaments at the inaugural 3x3 wheelchair basketball world championships Sunday in Sun City, South Africa.

The Canadian women completed an undefeated run with a 17-12 victory over Spain in the final, going 6-0 at the three-day event.

Canada's women's team is comprised of Kady Dandeneau of Pender Island, B.C., Tamara Steeves of Mississauga, Ont., Élodie Tessier of Saint-Germain de Grantham, Que., and Toronto's Puisand Lai.

WATCH l Full replay of Canada-Spain women's final:

Watch Canada take on Spain in the final of the 2025 IWBF 3x3 Open Women's World Championships from Sun City, South Africa.

Canada topped Great Britain 15-10 in the semifinals earlier in the day, while Spain edged Australia 9-7 to reach the final.

The Canadians also beat Spain in its opening game, 14-7.

WATCH l Dandeneau on how 3x3 format offers lower barrier to entry:

Pender Island's Kady Dandeneau has represented Canada at the Paralympics and won gold at the Commonwealth Games. In a month, she'll represent her country at the first-ever 3x3 wheelchair basketball world championships in South Africa. Dandeneau talked to CBC's On The Coast how the 3x3 format offers a lower barrier to entry for many athletes.

The Canadian men's squad won its historic world title by defeating Spain 14-9 later Sunday, avenging its lone loss of the tournament.

Canada fell 18–12 to the Spaniards on Friday in its second game after running into foul trouble.

Canada is represented by Quebec City's Vincent Dallaire, Colin Higgins of Rothesay, N.B., Lee Melymick of Toronto and Garrett Ostepchuk of Regina.

The Canadians advanced to the gold-medal game earlier with their second close win over Austria at worlds, taking the semifinal 13-12. Canada opened the tournament with a 17–15 overtime win over the Austrians on Friday, with Higgins scoring the decisive points.

Canada, which went 6-1 in Sun City, edged Australia 12-9 in Saturday's quarterfinals.

WATCH l Full replay of Canada-Spain men's final:

Watch Canada take on Spain in the final of the 2025 IWBF 3x3 Open Men's World Championships from Sun City, South Africa.

Hosted by Wheelchair Basketball South Africa, the 2025 IWBF 3x3 Open World Championships celebrates the growth of 3x3 wheelchair basketball and offers smaller nations an opportunity to shine on the global stage.

This is the second 3x3 event for Canada's wheelchair basketball teams. The women won gold and the men took silver at the sport's debut at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.