Naperville native Sarah Adam was recently named to the USA Wheelchair Rugby 12-person roster that will represent the United States at the 2026 World Wheelchair Rugby World Championships in São Paulo, Brazil. The elite wheelchair rugby athletes from around the country will travel to Brazil to compete against the 11 other top-ranked wheelchair rugby teams in the world August 17-23.
Sarah Adam is back on the big stage
The former Naperville North Huskie and her USA teammates earned their spot at the WWR World Championships last summer after taking home gold at the 2025 Rugby Americas Championship. Adam also helped Team USA to victory in the 2023 Parapan Games in Chile and earned a silver medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
The 2026 Team USA roster includes a mix of seasoned veterans and eager newcomers, including:
Sarah Adam (Naperville, Illinois)
Chuck Aoki (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Travis Baker (Hamilton, Ohio)
Clay Brackett (Birmingham, Alabama)
Chris Fleace (Tucson, Arizona)
Lee Fredette (East Moriches, New York)
Brad Hudspeth (Stillwell, Kansas)
Mandy Marchiano (Colonial Heights, Virginia)
Josh O’Neill (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Alex Pabon (Guayama, Puerto Rico)
Kory Puderbaugh (Boise, Idaho)
Mason Symons (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
Team USA hopes to take home gold
“We couldn’t be more excited about this group of athletes named to our 2026 World Championship team,” said head coach Joe Delagrave. “This roster is a unique blend of battle-tested veterans who’ve been on the world stage before, alongside seven athletes who will experience their first world championship. I’ve watched this group grow together, and I trust what they bring: heart, tenacity and a refusal to back down from anyone on the world stage.”
This year will mark USAWR’s ninth world championship appearance, having competed in every tournament since the inaugural event in 1995, taking home four gold medals along the way. While USAWR is the only team to medal at every world championship, the team has not reached the top of the podium since their gold medal run in 2010.
How to watch
USA Wheelchair Rugby will compete in Group A against Canada, New Zealand, Netherlands, Brazil and reigning world champions Australia. Fans can tune in to cheer on the team on World Wheelchair Rugby’s YouTube.
- Netherlands vs. USA: Tuesday, August 18 at 9:30 a.m. CT
- New Zealand vs. USA: Tuesday, August 18 at 5 p.m. CT
- Canada vs. USA: Wednesday, August 19 at 3:30 p.m. CT
- Australia vs. USA: Thursday, August 20 at 9:30 a.m. CT
- Brazil vs. USA: Thursday, August 20 at 5:30 p.m. CT
- Crossover play, Quarterfinals and Semifinals:
Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22 - Medal matches: Sunday, August 23
Photo courtesy: USA Wheelchair Rugby.