PHILADELPHIA – A.J. Nanayakkara realized a golden dream in September as a member of the 2005 Team USA Wheelchair Rugby squad.  A.J. and his teammates traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to take on some of the best wheelchair rugby teams in the world.  Team USA was split into two evenly matched teams, USA Stars and USA Stripes. The two actually battled each other in the championship.  When the dust settled, Nanayakkara’s USA Stripes team took home the gold medal.

“The trip to Brazil was a blast,” said Nanayakkara of Roslyn, Pa. (19001). “I was very proud and honored to represent my country at the World Wheelchair Games.  I have been training hard for several years hoping to get a chance to play for Team USA, and I know that I’ll be a contender for the National Team for years to come.” 
Nanayakkara is a member of the Magee Eagles wheelchair rugby team, sponsored by Magee Rehabilitation Hospital and the Philadelphia Eagles.  The Eagles finished second in the 2005 U.S. Quad Rugby Association (USQRA) Division II National Championships in April.

Nanayakkara has quadriplegia and was injured at the age of 21 during a fall while training for karate in 1994. He has not let his injury deter him.

In addition to competing for the Magee Eagles, Nanayakkara volunteers as a peer mentor at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital where he helps individuals who have recently suffered spinal cord injuries understand their injury and what to expect. He shares his experiences with the patients.

Nanayakkara also creates artwork and has twice been included in Magee’s annual calendar that features art created by individuals with disabilities.  In addition, he is studying psychology at Temple University and wants to become a clinical psychologist for individuals with disabilities.

“The sponsorship for the Magee Eagles Wheelchair Rugby Team by Magee Rehab Hospital has enabled my Philly teammates and me to better our quality of life by being involved in a competitive sport,” said Nanayakkara.  “I am very grateful to Magee and our local volunteers, without whom little of what we athletes do would be possible.”

Wheelchair rugby is an exciting contact sport played on a regulation basketball court. Four players per team are allowed on the court at one time. The goal is to move the ball down the court and cross the goal with possession of the ball when the first two wheels cross the goal line. Players may carry the ball, but must dribble or pass the ball within ten seconds.