Canada will have 162 athletes competing in 19 sports.

Among those headed south will be Zak Madell, formerly of Okotoks.

He's established himself as one of the best wheelchair rugby players in the world.

He was named MVP of the 2014 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Denmark, the 2014 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament and the 2015 World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge.

Perhaps his biggest honour came when he was named Team Canada’s flagbearer of the Closing Ceremony of the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, after leading the team to its first gold medal in 13 years.

After graduating from Holy Trinity Academy in Okotoks Madell moved to Toronto to train and attend Centennial College.

Now, he lives in Victoria where he trains with teammates Miranda Biletski and Travis Murao.

Madell's accomplishment's include winning Gold at the 2015 Parapan American Games, and Silver at the 2014 World Championships, the 2014 Wheelchair Rugby Canada Cup International and the 2012 Paralympic Games.