Para sport review: October 2018

Asian Para Games

Almost 3,000 athletes from 43 countries went head-to-head for continental glory in Jakarta, Indonesia. North and South Korea marched together as a Unified Korean Team at the Opening Ceremony for the first time at a Para sport event. They also won an historic medal, a swimming bronze in the men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay 34 points.

Chinese athletes dominated the competition, finishing top of the medals table with a stunning 172 gold medals. Hosts Indonesia also stood out winning an unprecedented 37 golds.

Some of the most outstanding performances were delivered by Uzbekistan swimmer Amilova Fotimakhon, Iran judoka Ehsan Mousanezhad Karmozdi and South Korea wheelchair tennis player Kyu-Seung Kim.

Para Table Tennis World Championships

Belgium’s Laurens Devos extended his winning streak to two years in Lasko-Celje, Slovenia, to become world champion for the first time.

It was also exciting to watch the return of Poland’s Natalia Partyka to Para sport competition after some time focusing on able-bodied events. The Paralympic champion continued her reign in the women’s class 10.

Netherlands’ three-time Paralympic champion Kelly van Zon bounced back after losing in the 2017 Europeans semi-finals and won the women’s class 7 world title.

South Korean Kim Hyeon Uk also celebrated on Slovenian soil, taking his first world title.

Para Trap World Championships

Lonato, Italy, staged the first edition of the Para Trap Worlds, with 57 athletes from 16 countries competing. The hosts finished top of the standings with five medals and were the only nation to reach the podium in all three classes.

Australia's Scottie Brydon, Finland's Vesa Jarvinen and Italy's Francesco Nespeca delivered some of the best performances to become world champions.

World Para Dance Sport World Cup

Multi-world and European champion Helena Kasicka shone on home floor in Kosice, Slovakia, winning the women’s freestyle class 2.

The hosts also celebrated gold in the combi standard 1-2 through Maria Dutkova and standing partner Martin Solc.

Belgium’s Roswitha Van Dorpe enjoyed success in the women’s singles and freestyle class 1, putting together winning routines to leave with double gold.

Beigang Open

Philippines’ triple world champions Rhea Marquez and Julius Obero claimed double gold in Chinese Taipei just a day after performing in the Opening Ceremony of the Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games.

Para Triathlon World Cups

Brazil’s Jessica Ferreira became one of six debut winners in Sarasota-Bradenton, USA, as she won the women’s PTWC ahead of home favourite Kendall Gretsch.

Christiane Reppe, who took cycling Paralympic gold at Rio 2016, was the women’s PTWC winner at the Funchal World Cup.

Ancona 2018 Winter Challenge

At World Para Athletics’ first dedicated throws competition, Paralympic champion Assunta Legnante and European title-holder Giuseppe Campoccio led the Italian delegation that won 11 golds on home field.

Central America and Caribbean Championship

Mexico beat Puerto Rico 59-56 in the final to win the wheelchair basketball regional competition. Both teams secured their place in next year’s Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru.

European Championships B Division

Netherlands defeated Switzerland 52-46 for the gold medal in the wheelchair rugby event. Both finalists earned their spots in next year’s Wheelchair Rugby European Championship Division A.

Athletics and Swimming National Open

Paralympic medallists such as swimmers Moises Fuentes of Colombia and Lorenzo Perez Escalona of Cuba took multiple golds in Barranquilla, Colombia.

On his first international competition, Paraguay’s Rodrigo Hermosa claimed two bronze and received a congratulations message on Twitter from his country’s First Lady Silvina Abado.

Chile’s Francisca Mardones set a new Americas record* in the women’s shot put F54 thanks to a 7.30m throw. Argentina’s Hernan Urra (46.34m) also broke the continental record* in the men’s discus throw F35.

*Subject to ratification by World Para Athletics