PARA ATHLETE PROFESSIONALS
Supporting Paralympians during their transition into life beyond sport
The IPC is committed to supporting Paralympians not only during their competitive careers but also as they transition into life beyond sport, equipping them with the tools needed to become advocates leaders in the Paralympic Movement and beyond.
With this initiative, retiring Paralympians are given the training and platforms needed to grow into confident, capable leaders. From 2025 to 2028, a select group of Paralympians from around the world will join an annual course designed to unlock their leadership potential. By harnessing their lived experiences and unique perspectives, these athletes will become powerful voices for inclusion and equality, leading with purpose, and inspiring change.
Through in-person and online learning, participants will build the skills, confidence, and networks needed to thrive in leadership roles. Cultivating a new generation of Para athletes who are not only ambassadors for the Paralympic Movement but also active, impactful changemakers in their communities and beyond.
PARA ATHLETE PROFESSIONALS – 2025 COHORT
Adeline Dumapong Ancheta (Philippines) – Para powerlifting
Ancheta was the first Filipino Paralympic medallist, winning bronze at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics. She competed in five Paralympic Games from Sydney 2000 to Rio 2016 and earned over 19 international medals across multiple competitions.
Anchaya Ketkeaw (Thailand) – Para swimming
The S9 Para swimmer represented Thailand at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Ketkeaw was a finalist at the 2017 and 2019 World Para Swimming Championships.
Brenda Sardon (Argentina) – Para rowing and Para canoe
Sardon competed in Para rowing at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. A former Para canoeist with international medals, Sardon won two gold medals at the 2015 South American Championship and a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup in Hungary. She is a passionate advocate for inclusion and sport development.
Daniel Giraldo Correa (Colombia) – Para swimming
The S12 Para swimmer has competed in four Paralympic Games, including Paris 2024. He is also an eight-time Parapan American Games champion.
Danielle Liza-Jean Ellis (Canada) – Sitting volleyball
Captain of Canada's women's sitting volleyball team, Ellis competed in three Paralympic Games, winning bronze at Paris 2024.
Emile Cadet Vuningabo (Rwanda) – Sitting volleyball
Captain of Rwanda's men's team, Vuningabo competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and led the team in multiple international events, including the 2023 Sitting Volleyball World Cup.
Hanah Ngendo Mwangi (Kenya) – Para athletics
Vision impaired sprinter and long jumper Mwangi represented Kenya at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and London 2012 Paralympic Games in T12 and F12 events.
Jason Joseph Dunkerley (Canada) – Para athletics
T11 middle-distance runner, Dunkerley is a five-time Paralympic medallist (three silver medals and two bronze medals). He is also a 2002 World Athletics champion and three-time Para Pan American Games champion.
Jiachao Wang (China) – Para swimming & Para triathlon
Wang made his swimming debut at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games and went on to compete in the sport at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and London 2012 Paralympics Games. In total he has won one gold, four silvers, and a bronze medal. He later transitioned to Para triathlon, placing fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Kelly Gallagher (Great Britain) – Para alpine skiing
Gallagher was the first British athlete to win winter Paralympic gold at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. She competed in three Paralympic Winter Games and earned multiple World Championship medals throughout her career.
Kerrie Louise Leonard (Ireland) – Para archery
Two-time Paralympian and Ireland's top Para archer, Leonard competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. A multiple-time Irish Women's Compound National Champion, she secured the title in 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024. A farm safety advocate, Leonard trains from her family farm and holds degrees in Equine Business and Marketing.
María Francisca Mardones Sepulveda (Chile) – Para athletics (Shot Put, Javelin)
Mardones is a former wheelchair tennis player turned world-record-holding shot putter in the F54 class. She also earned gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and 2019 World Para Athletic Championships.
Maximillian Tan Chern (Singapore) – Para equestrian
Three-time Paralympian, Chern began riding as therapy for cerebral palsy. Also an avid sailor who represented Singapore in international sailing competitions, he later switched to competitive riding, making his Paralympic debut at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Chern balances a dual career in HR and sport, and is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion in the workplace.
Natalie Claire Alexander (Australia) – Wheelchair basketball
A 2.5-point guard for the Australian Gliders, Alexander competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and won medals at the Osaka Cup and U25 World Championships. She also holds degrees in psychology and speech pathology.
Nicholas Alexander Cummins (Great Britain) – Wheelchair rugby
Cummins earned a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and consequently received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) honour. He is also a gold medallist from the 2017 and 2019 European Wheelchair Rugby Championships. He also holds a PhD in history.
Nour Mohammed Al Sana (Saudi Arabia) – Para athletics
Saudi Arabia's top Para sprinter, Al Sana competed in multiple World Championships and the Paris 2024 Paralympics. He earned his first gold medal in the 400m event at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships.
Petra Lévay (Hungary) – Para triathlon
A former national swimming champion turned elite Para triathlete, Levay competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and numerous World and European Championships.
Ritah Asiimwe (Uganda) – Para badminton
Asiime is Uganda's top Para badminton player and competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. She is also the African champion in singles and doubles. Holds a degree in Development Studies and a postgraduate certificate in Sports Management.
Shanntol Annette Ince (Trinidad and Tobago) – Para swimming
Ince is a two-time Paralympian, who competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. She is also a double Parapan American Games bronze medallist in Para swimming in the S9 event.
Vianney Marlen Trejo Delgadillo (Mexico) – Para swimming
An S6 Para swimmer, Delgadillo is a seven-time Parapan American Games champion and competed at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and London 2012 Paralympic Games. Known as the "Golden Siren" of Mexico, she also competed in multiple World Championships.