David Eng named Canada's Paralympic flag-bearer

Wheelchair basketball veteran David Eng has been chosen as Canada's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro that start Wednesday.

Eng helped lead Canada to Paralympic gold in 2004 and 2012, as well as silver in 2008. Rio will be the Montrealer's fourth Games.

• Canadian wheelchair basketball star Eng relishes big stage

"[Eng] is an impact player on the court and is known for his aggressive and vocal style of play and his ability to make the players around him better," Chantal Petitclerc, Canada's chef de mission, said in a press release.

Eng was named Wheelchair Basketball Canada's male athlete of the year and won the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association award for male athlete of the year in 2009.

"I am really grateful for this amazing opportunity to carry the Canadian flag for my country at the Opening Ceremony in Rio," Eng said in a press release.

"Being selected as the flag-bearer at my fourth Paralympics is the highest honour I could receive for dedicating my life and heart to the Paralympic movement."

Paralympics A-Z - Wheelchair basketball

8 years ago

Duration 1:49

Paralympics A-Z - Wheelchair basketball

Eng, who developed a leg length discrepancy in his youth, was introduced to the sport by his uncle, former national team member Grald Brl. Eng went on to win a national championship at the University of Texas at Arlington while earning four consecutive All-American awards.

Eng has also played in two NBA/NWBA All-Star Wheelchair Classics, which take place during the NBA's all-star weekend. Eng won MVP at the 2014 and 2015 showcases.

The price of glory

8 years ago

Duration 1:26

Canadian wheelchair basketball player David Eng has gone through many chairs while playing due to the physical nature of the sport.

Despite entering Rio as the defending Paralympic champions, Eng and Team Canada will have their work cut out for them. The Canadians lost in a blowout to the United States at the 2015 Parapan Am Games in Toronto last summer.

"We're the underdogs right now, even though we're the defending Olympic champs," the 39-year-old told CBCSports.ca. "This is four years later and there have been a lot that changes in four years.

"We have a whole new team. We have a good surprise. We'll be there. I have total faith that we'll be there in the end."

Canada has 162 athletes in Brazil and is aiming for a top-16 finish at the event.

The 11-day Summer Games end Sept. 18.