Argentina’s 10 athletes to look out for at Rio 2016

Athletics – Hernan Barreto

Russia’s double world champion and world record holder Dmitrii Safronov might be the favourite to win the 100m and 200m T35 races in Rio, but Argentina’s Hernan Barreto is still determined to make a splash. The Parapan American champion, who finished fourth in both distances at Doha 2015 World Championships, seeks to improve on his London 2012 bronze medal-performance in Rio.

Athletics – Yanina Martinez

Aged only 18 years old, Martinez finished fourth in the 100m T36 at London 2012. Since then, she has not stopped improving. She set an Americas record on her way to gold in the 100m T36 at Toronto 2015, where she also won the 200m T36. Later last year, she claimed one silver and one bronze at Doha 2015. On paper, it should be a tough-contest between her, Russia’s Elena Sviridova and Germany’s Claudia Nicoleitzik.

Cycling – Rodrigo Lopez

The 37-year-old will be pushing to win his third Paralympic medal after sealing bronze at both Athens 2004 and London 2012. Last year, the multi-world champion fulfilled his dream of carrying Argentina’s flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Toronto Parapan Ams. Now, Lopez wants to “win the Paralympic gold,” as he has repeated multiple times. Rio 2016 might be his last opportunity.

Football 5 – Argentina

After years of living in the shadow of Brazil, Argentina aims to break the football 5-a-side hegemony of the reigning Paralympic and world champions at September’s Games. The Rio 2016 hosts won the 2014 World Championships and Toronto 2015 finals against their fierce rivals by a one-goal margin. But Argentina is hoping to upset the odds in Rio, where they became world champions 14 years ago.

Judo – Jorge Lencina

The only Argentinian athlete to have competed at both Olympics and Paralympics seeks win gold after claiming bronze at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012. The Parapan American gold medallist shares a tough-looking -90kg category with Cuba´s London 2012 champion Jorge Hierrezuelo Marcillis and USA´s Worlds gold medallist Dartanyon Crockett.

Judo – Jose David Effron

The 25-year-old (-81kg) burst onto the judo scene after winning gold at the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games and went on to become one of the world’s best at London 2012, where he claimed silver. He took a step backwards at the 2014 World Championships, losing in the quarter-finals, but sealed silver at Toronto 2015 and now aims to reach his full potential ahead of Rio 2016.

Swimming – Nadia Baez

Baez has been among the top three swimmers in the 100m breaststroke SB11 at every major competition since 2010 and is expected to repeat such performance in Rio. The 26-year-old, who claimed bronze at London 2012, has won two silvers and one bronze at World Championships.

Swimming – Daniela Gimenez

The 23-year-old won two golds, one silver and two bronze at Toronto 2015 and has won 10 Parapan American medals during her career. She will be competing at her third Paralympic Games in Rio. “Making it to a Paralympic podium would be a dream come true,” she said.

Swimming – Anabel Moro

At 36 years old, multiple Parapan American champion Moro will participate in her fourth successive Paralympic Games. She had her best performance four years ago in London, where she finished seventh in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB12. Last year, Moro ended fifth in the 50m freestyle S12 at the Glasgow 2015 World Championships.

Wheelchair tennis – Gustavo Fernandez

Fernandez won this year’s Roland Garros, his first singles Grand Slam title, and will carry Argentina’s flag at Rio 2016’s Opening Ceremony. The 22-year-old, who won two golds at Toronto 2015, has consistently been among the world’s top 10. Fernandez competed at London 2012, where he lost in the quarter finals, and will be among the favourites for gold at September’s Paralympics.

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Sport fans from around the world can now buy their Paralympic tickets for Rio 2016 from authorised ticket resellers (ATRs).

The IPC’s Global ATR is Jet Set Sports, and Rio 2016 tickets and packages can be purchased on the CoSport website.

Residents of Brazil can buy 2016 Paralympics tickets directly from the Rio 2016 website.