Elite wheelchair tennis came once again to Vancouver when BC Wheelchair Sports Association hosted the 2017 ITF3 Vancouver International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament from July 13-16 at the Kitsilano Beach tennis courts. Thirty-nine athletes from six countries battled for $14,000 USD in prize money in men’s, women’s and quad divisions. The event also hosted junior men and women events.
The tournament winners were:
Women’s Singles: Momoko Ohtani (JPN)
Men’s Singles: Ben Weekes (AUS)
Quad Singles: Rob Shaw (CAN)
Girls Singles: Shiori Funamizu (JPN)
Boys Singles: Tomas Bourassa (CAN)
Women’s Doubles: Kanaka Domori/Mie Fukazawa (JPN)
Men’s Doubles: Ben Weekes (AUS)/Kouhei Suzuki (JPN)
“The Vancouver International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament gives local athletes high-quality competitive opportunities, and it showcases this amazing sport to the public,” said BCWSA Executive Director Gail Hamamoto. “We’re grateful to all of the partners and sponsors that make this event possible.”
The 2017 ITF3 Vancouver International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament is supported by the ITF, UNIQLO, NEC, Vancouver Community Sport Hosting, Hosting BC (viaSport and the Province of BC), Rackets & Runners and Tennis Canada.
The next tournament on the Canadian ITF tour is the ITF1 Birmingham Canadian Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Mississauga from August 24th to 27th.
Wheelchair tennis is an exciting sport for people with physical disabilities of all ages and ability levels, including people who use electric wheelchair. For more information about wheelchair tennis in B.C., visit www.bcwheelchairsports.com. For photos from the event, visit the Gerry Kripps Photography website.
Arley Cruthers
Communications Manager, BC Wheelchair Sports Association
