Cooper Blackwood will make his first World Championship appearance when he lines up for the Australian Steelers at the 2026 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship in São Paulo, Brazil.
The Queensland Academy of Sport-supported athlete has been named in the 12-athlete Australian squad for the tournament, which runs from 17 to 23 August.
Australia enters the competition as defending World Champions and will open its title defence against Canada on Monday, 17 August (local time in Brazil).
For Blackwood, selection is another step in a wheelchair rugby career that began after he found the sport through the Invictus Games.
Blackwood sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury in 2020 and spent several years focused on rehabilitation before returning to sport. He represented Australia at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, where he was introduced to wheelchair rugby.
“It was my first taste of wheelchair rugby. I loved every second of it,” Blackwood said.
“To now put on the green and gold and go away and represent my country is a huge honour. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and the trust that the coaches have bestowed upon me.”
QAS Strength and Conditioning Coach Mitch Nielson said he’s been impressed with Cooper’s progression and work ethic.
“Cooper’s progression has been exceptional. It’s rare for an athlete to improve across every area of their physical performance simultaneously, but in the last 12 months he’s achieved personal bests in strength, power, speed, agility and aerobic capacity,” he said.
“That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a reflection of his work ethic, discipline and desire to continually improve. He’s still relatively early in his career and that’s what makes his potential so exciting.”
Blackwood said he is focused on making the most of his first World Championship experience while continuing to build towards his longer-term goal of representing Australia at the Paralympic Games.
“Everyone’s goal ultimately is the Paralympics and World Championships. So, being a World Championship, I’m very keen for that,” he said.
“Moving forward, LA, and then another World Champs, and then I don’t know, 2032 Brisbane sounds pretty good as well.”
Blackwood is one of two Australian athletes selected for their first World Championship, alongside QAS-supported athlete, Lilliana Prucha. The pair are part of a squad that combines experienced international athletes with emerging talent.
The Steelers also have their largest group of female athletes selected for a World Championship, with four women named in the squad. QAS-supported athletes Ella Sabljak, Emilie Miller and Lilliana Prucha are joined by Victorian Institute of Sport athlete Shae Graham.
The Australian Steelers team includes;
Australia’s opening match against Canada will be streamed live on the World Wheelchair Rugby YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@worldwheelchairrugby6250
