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The 2025 IWBF Asia Oceania Championships have tipped off in Bangkok, Thailand, setting the stage for one of the most significant events on the regional wheelchair basketball calendar. Hosted at the Centara Life Government Complex and Convention Centre, the Championships bring together the best men’s and women’s national teams from across Asia and Oceania, all competing for a coveted place at next year’s IWBF World Championships in Ottawa, Canada.
Running from 7–15 November 2025, the tournament features over a dozen nations and promises a week of world-class wheelchair basketball, passion, and national pride. For many of the participating countries, this event represents the culmination of years of preparation and the chance to compete on the international stage against some of the sport’s most established teams.
The opening two days of competition have already set a thrilling tone. The host nation Thailand made a strong start in the women’s division with an emphatic win in front of home fans, setting the atmosphere alight in Bangkok. Meanwhile, Japan’s women caused the first major upset of the tournament, overcoming regional powerhouse China in a fiercely contested matchup. In the men’s competition, Australia and Iran both set out their stalls early with commanding performances, showing the depth and quality expected from two of the region’s top contenders. With close contests and rising regional talent on display, the early games have underscored the growing depth of wheelchair basketball across the Asia Oceania region.
The stakes are high:
- The top two men’s and women’s teams will qualify directly for Ottawa 2026.
- A further two men’s and two women’s teams will advance to the 2026 Repechage Tournaments, keeping their World Championship dreams alive.
Beyond serving as the qualifying event for Ottawa, the Championships also contribute to the qualification pathway for the 2026 Asian Para Games, adding further incentive for teams from the Asian region.
Fans can follow the live action, results, and game statistics throughout the week on the official event page:
📍 Event: 2025 IWBF Asia Oceania Championships
📅 Dates: 7–15 November 2025
🏀 Venue: Centara Life Government Complex & Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
Photo Credits: X-1 - Shingo Ito - IWBF
