Rio Kanda Kovac

Biography

Rio is one of the youngest National Team members to dawn the red and white. Rio’s first introduction to Wheelchair rugby was at the 2015 Toronto Para-Pan Am Games, they were just 12 years old. Rio was born with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder that causes motor and sensory neuropathy. As a child, Rio has always dreamt to compete in the Paralympics and when they were 14, they purchased their first wheelchair rugby chair.

Rio first competed in Chiba, Japan; however, they did not see themself playing for Team Japan. In September of 2018, Rio was invited by Assistant Coach Dave Willsie to train with Team Canada in Misawa, Japan. Rio has not looked back. They have since moved back to Toronto and has been with the team the past three years. Rio has an exceptionally bright future with Wheelchair Rugby Canada and one day, they will live out their dream.

Off the court, Rio helped with the rebranded World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) with their debut trailer in 2021.