IPC Athlete of the Month nominations are compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees and International Federations.
After winning five gold medals at the 2013 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships in Solleftea, Sweden, Roman Petushkov of Russia was voted the IPC Athlete of the Month for February.
The 35-year-old sit skier received 46 per cent of the public’s vote, ahead of Spanish visually impaired alpine skier Jon Santacana, who was second with 28 per cent of the vote.
In Solleftea, Petushkov dominated the cross-country sprint, middle and long-distance races, as well as the open relay and biathlon middle-distance events.
Heading into the Championships, Petushkov seemed to know it was him against the clock and that his success in Solleftea would hinge on his mentality.
“Time is my main rival,” Petushkov said prior to the event. “My strength is how I strive for victory. My weakness is my bad moods. When I feel (bad), I go to visit my close friends and family members.”
It is the second time in just over a year that Petushkov has been voted the IPC Athlete of the Month. He also earned the honour in January 2012.
Canadian nordic skier Brian Mckeever, Japanese nordic skier Taiki Morii, French alpine skier Marie Bochet and Canadian wheelchair curling team were also shortlisted for the monthly honour.
The next major event for Petushkov will be the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup finals, which will take place from 16-21 March in Sochi, Russia. The competition will also serve as a test event for next year’s Paralympic Winter Games.
IPC Athlete of the Month nominations are compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees and International Federations.
