Japan's Daisuke Ikezaki, right, Shinichi Shimakawa, center, and Yukinobu Ike celebrate their team's win in their wheelchair rugby bronze medal match against Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan won the bronze medal in wheelchair rugby Sunday at the Tokyo Paralympics by beating Australia 60-52.

       Following Saturday's heartbreaking loss to Britain in the semifinals which ended the team's quest for gold, an emotionally charged Japan team played aggressively from start to finish at the Yoyogi National Stadium.

       Leading 30-25 at halftime, the reigning world champions and home heroes extended the lead in the third quarter with some stout defense to take a 45-36 advantage into the final period.

       Daisuke Ikezaki led Japan with 23 tries, while Australia captain Ryley Batt was the game-high man with 27 tries.

       Japan suffered just one loss at the Tokyo Games. The team was undefeated in the group stage with wins over France, Denmark, and Australia before suffering the 55-49 defeat to Britain.

       The mixed wheelchair rugby team also took bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, which was Japan's first Paralympic medal in the sport.

       The United States plays Britain for gold later on Sunday.

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