Ottawa – Zak Madell, Canada’s rampaging scorer in wheelchair rugby, announced his retirement on Sunday after a 13-year national team career which included four Paralympic Games.
Known for his blistering speed, deceptive maneuvers, and relentless endurance, Madell consistently derailed his opponents and thrilled fans.
From his international debut, Madell proved to be one of the sport’s greatest. At the Paralympic Games in Paris last year, his last competition, Madell was still at the top of his game finishing second in scoring with 148 tries (29.6 points per game) and tied for second in steals.
Despite still dominating the sport at age 31, Madell knew the time had come to close this chapter.
“I felt like I wasn’t as into the game or as passionate as I once had been,’’ he said in a Wheelchair Rugby Canada (WRC) post. ‘’ So I think that’s a good sign that your time is done… It’s time to pass the torch to someone who’s hungry and ready.”
Patrick Côté, Canada’s head coach from 2016 to 2024, said Madell revolutionized the sport.
“When Zak entered the game, it was much slower,’’ he told WRC. ‘’Players like him raised the physical standard. They made the game evolve.
‘’He is one of the best human beings I’ve met in my life. He has always cared deeply about his teammates and everyone around him. He’s a phenomenal athlete — but an even better person.”