Zak Madell’s fourth trip to the Paralympics produced a sixth-place finish.
The Okotoks wheelchair rugby star and Team Canada were edged out 53-50 in a seesaw fifth-place match by the host France to close out the competition Monday at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Summer Games.
Canada, which entered the competition fifth in the world rankings, posted a 2-2 mark to get into the fifth place final.
The Canadians dropped a thrilling 51-48 decision to U.S. in its opener, with Madell posting a game high 31 tries. Canada rallied with 54-47 triumph over Germany with Madell again leading the attack with 28 tries.
Japan then knocked off Canada 50-46 with the Canucks rebounding in a 56-46 result to earn a spot in the fifth-place match. Madell led all players with 27 tries in both games.
Madell, a Holy Trinity Academy alumnus, has now earned silver, fourth, fifth and sixth place finishes over 12 years at the Games with the opportunity to represent Canada in London, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Paris.
The 30-year-old is one of five players on the 2024 roster who brought home silver at the 2012 Games along with Patrice Dagenais, Trevor Hirschfield, Travis Murao and Mike Whitehead.
One-quarter of the team made its Paralympic debut in Paris, a group that includes rising stars Rio Kanda Kovac, Matt Debly and Joel Ewert.
As of Monday, Canada was 30th in the standings in Paris with 11 medals (one gold, four silver and six bronze).
Paris 2024 continues until Sept. 8. For more information, go to paralympic.ca
