kramer dutch

Netherlands' Bo Kramer shoots as Ixhelt Gonzalez from the U.S. defends during the gold medal match of the women's wheelchair basketball between Netherlands and United States at the 2024 Paralympics. Image provided by PA / Alamy.

Netherlands win Paralympic gold in thrilling wheelchair basketball final

Loughborough-linked Bo Kramer played an instrumental role as The Netherlands overcame the USA to win gold and claim back-to-back titles at the Paralympic Games.

In an enthralling final at the Bercy Arena, Loughborough Lightning playmaker Kramer top scored with 23 points as the Dutch overcame their American opponents, 63-49.

Following an incredibly tight first half, the 25-year-old came alive in the third quarter as the Dutch started to impose their superiority on the match after overturning an early 8-1 deficit.

Pulling the strings around the court, Kramer was a constant danger and showed the watching world why she is one of the most highly-rated players on the circuit.

The Netherlands pulled away yet further in the final quarter to cruise home in stunning style to match the Paralympic gold they also claimed at Tokyo 2020.

“It was a rough start, and we had a bit of trouble getting the ball to the net in the first few minutes," Kramer said. 

“But before the game, we decided as a team what we were going to do in attack and defence, and if we did that, then we believed that we’d be able to get the win.  

“In the first few minutes we were very nervous – I for example was very nervous – but we kept playing our game and didn’t change anything because of America. Then you see that slowly that starts working, they will miss some shots and at half-time, we said it’s 40 minutes to keep fighting. 

“We made a gap in the third quarter and now I have a gold medal around my neck for the second time in a row.” 

It proved to be a faultless campaign for Kramer and her formidable teammates who were unbeaten throughout the pool stages and into the knockout rounds.

Kramer’s gold capped a wonderful Paralympic Games for Loughborough who closed out the competition with 19 medals – seven gold, six silver, and six bronze.

For all the latest Loughborough news around major global sporting events, visit the University’s dedicated website here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/athletes-global-stage/

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Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 24/159

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