Less than one day after Canada qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games in women’s soccer, Canada has also qualified for women’s basketball at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. On Saturday from Ostend, Belgium, in one of four Olympic qualifying tournaments, Canada defeated Sweden 80-50 to improve their record to two wins and zero losses. With the win, Canada guaranteed themselves a better record than Sweden in the tournament and an Olympic berth.
Natalie Achonwa of Toronto, Ontario led Team Canada with 16 points. Three other Canadians reached double digits in scoring as Shaina Pellington of Pickering, Ontario had 11 points, and Kia Nurse of Hamilton, Ontario and Miranda Ayim of Chatham, Ontario had 10 points each. Achonwa also led Canada with eight rebounds and Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe led Canada with four assists.
Canada is one of six teams that have already qualified for the Olympic Games in women’s basketball. They are joined by Japan, the United States, France, Nigeria and China.
The Canadian men’s basketball team can join the women at the Olympic Games with a first place finish in their Olympic qualifying tournament in Victoria, British Columbia from June 23 to June 28. Canada is in a group with Greece, China, Uruguay, the Czech Republic and Turkey.
