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

Here are 10 Mexican athletes that are set to shine at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Athletics – Angeles Ortiz

The shot put F57 three-time world and Parapan American champion is the overwhelming favourite to reclaim the gold medal she won at London 2012. Ortiz, who holds the world record of 11.13, seeks to retire at Rio 2016 on a high note.

Athletics – Daniela Velasco

At just 16 years old, Velasco burst onto the athletics scene by winning bronze in the women’s 400m T12 at London 2012. In 2015, she claimed one gold and one silver medal at the Toronto 2015 Parapan Ams, but did not perform well at the Worlds, in Doha, Qatar where she could not advance into the finals. She is hoping to bounce back at September’s Paralympics.

Judo – Eduardo Avila

The 30-year-old will be pushing to win his third Paralympic medal, after claiming gold at Beijing 2008 and bronze at London 2012. Avila, also a triple Parapan American champion, won the world title in the men’s -81kg two years ago but will have to be in his best form in Rio to beat Ukraine’s World No.1 Olexandr Kosinov.

Judo – Lenia Ruvalcaba

Mexico’s other medal hope rest with Beijing 2008 silver medallist Lenia Ruvalcaba. The World No.4 finished third at the World Championships, in 2014, in the USA, and sealed gold at Toronto 2015. Now that Spain’s triple Paralympic gold medallist Carmen Herrera has retired, Ruvalcaba appears as one of the strongest pretenders to the women’s -70kg throne.

Powerlifting – Amalia Perez

Perez is one of Mexico’s most decorated athletes, having won two Paralympic, three Parapan American and one world title. Perez, who holds the world record of 133kg in the women’s up to 61kg, will look to continue her run at Rio 2016.

Powerlifting – Perla Barcenas

After undergoing several operations to her shoulder, Barcenas enjoyed a successful return to competition last year, winning her third Parapan American gold in the women's up to 73, 79, 86 and +86kg at Toronto 2015. That performance has given the two-time Paralympic bronze medallist renewed confidence ahead of September’s Games.

Swimming – Gustavo Sanchez

The 22-year-old will attempt to add a fifth Paralympic medal to his haul after claiming two golds, one silver and one bronze at London 2012, where he was Mexico’s most decorated athlete. Sanchez claimed one bronze in the men's 200m freestyle S4 at last year’s World Championships, in Glasgow, Great Britain, and went on to seal four golds at Toronto 2015.

Swimming – Juan Ignacio Reyes

Mexico will seek gold in Rio from five-time Paralympic champion Juan Ignacio Reyes. The 34-year-old and multiple-Parapan American champion, who won one silver in the men's 50m backstroke S4 at Glasgow 2015, might be in the downward curve of his career but wants to show that can still make a big splash on the international stage.

Swimming – Nely Miranda

The two-time Paralympic champion aims to win another gold at Rio 2016. Last year, Miranda won gold in the women’s 100m freestyle S4 at the World Championships and claimed four Parapan American titles.

Swimming – Patricia Valle

After climbing onto the podium at four consecutive Paralympic Games, Valle is confident she can pick up a medal in the women's 50m breaststroke SB3 in Rio. Valle hopes she can edge out Russia’s World champion Natalia Gavrilyuk and teammate Miranda.

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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.

Visa International is the exclusive payment card and the official payment system for the Paralympic Games.