By Liam Morgan

David Eng led the Canadian scoring as they comfortably beat Brazil on the opening day of the Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge ©Getty ImagesReigning Paralympic champions Canada began their Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge campaign with a comfortable 76-64 win over Brazil at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.

The hosts, who went unbeaten at London 2012 en route to gold, demonstrated their prowess once again in an event which serves as a warm-up for the Parapan American Games in the Canadian city this summer, by racking up a score which proved too hot for the Brazilians to handle.

Captain David Eng chipped in with a haul of 20 points, while Bo Hedges managed 19, although Brazil's Leandro Mirando also emerged from the contest with a great degree of credit as he scored 19 points.

The friendly competition, which began today and runs until March 26, also features the United States and Argentina, and the two sides played out a one-sided match as the Americans were in ruthless form, strolling to a commanding 80-42 win.

The Paralympic bronze medallists were clearly keen to impress and they largely had Carter Arey and Jake Williams to thank for the thrashing of the Argentinians as both players scored 20 points.

Despite being on the wrong end of a mauling, Argentina's Daniel Copa was the game's top-scorer as he posted an impressive 22, including a perfect record from the free-throw line.

Canada went unbeaten on their way to winning Paralympic gold at London 2012 ©Getty ImagesCanada went unbeaten on their way to winning Paralympic gold at London 2012 ©Getty Images



The event gives teams the chance to face some of their rivals ahead of the Parapan American Games, an event which offers sides the opportunity of sealing qualification for the Paralympic Games next year.

The tournament continues tomorrow as Brazil face the United States while the hosts entertain Argentina.

Canada, whose triumph at London 2012 was their third gold medal in four Paralympic appearances, remain the overwhelming favourite to win the Parapan American Games title and they will be hoping to go into that event in good form by claiming an overall victory at the Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge on home soil.

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