It was a good start for the Japanese women’s wheelchair basketball team as they routed Australia in the tournament’s opening game. The Japan vs Australia game was a blowout, but veteran Mari Amimoto said her team should not get carried away.
Amimoto said that it was only the first step towards a podium finish in the Paralympics. Also, she added that they need to continue to win. According to sports betting odds experts, she finished the game with 13 points. Amimoto wants her teammates to focus on their upcoming games.
Four Japanese players scored in double figures. One of them was Chihiro Kitada, with 16 points. However, Australian Amber Merritt was the top scorer of the game with 18 points. Although Australia had the size advantage, Japan uses speed to neutralize its opponent’s advantage.
Japan vs Australia
It was Amimoto’s second time to represent Japan in the Paralympics. Her debut was in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Also, it was the last time Japan qualified for the women’s wheelchair basketball event. According to sports betting reports, Japan is a small team. As a result, they need to rely on their speed to score early in the offense or during transitions.
Amimoto was one of the three players left from the squad that competed in the Beijing Olympics. She said that she is responsible for guiding the squad’s younger members as they try to win a medal in the event since finishing bronze during the Sydney Paralympics in 2000.
Many people who bet on basketball don’t know about the Paralympic Games. Also, the team is young and didn’t get the chance to play in London or Rio. Amimoto started playing wheelchair basketball at the age of 15. Her club foot made it hard for her to play the traditional form of basketball.