SUSF Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder Caitlin de Wit has helped the Aussie Gliders successfully defended their Osaka Cup title, remaining undefeated in the process.
As one of five debutants in the squad, de Wit (Bachelor of Veterinary Science) was part of a new-look Gliders team that began the tournament on Thursday with a win over Canada 60-55 in a match that saw all 12 players hit the floor.
They backed up on Friday with a win over host nation Japan 50-43, with once again all players taking to the floor.
The third and final day of the event saw the girls claim back-to-back wins, defeating Canada 59-46 and Japan 54-48.
Since 2007, the Gliders have won the Osaka Cup five times – 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013 – while they have been runners-up in 2007 and 2011.
It was the first international tournament for the Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team since their silver medal winning performance at the London Paralympic Games.
