Park named August’s Allianz Athlete of the Month

South Korea’s U Cheol Park has been voted the Allianz Athlete of the Month for August after his performance at the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) Asia-Oceania Championship.

The 18-year-old was integral to the South Korean team, who fell to New Zealand in a heart-breaking 44-41 loss in the bronze medal game. Park was named on the All Tournament Team in the 2.0 sport class and received the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Park received 61 per cent of the public voted. British canoeist Emma Wiggs was second with 18 per cent, followed by South African sprinter Ntando Mahlangu (13 per cent). Australian canoeist Curtis McGrath and Chinese table tennis player Dashun Zhan were also on the shortlist.

The 2017 winners so far are:

January – Jeroen Kampschreur, Netherlands, alpine skiing

February – Veronika Vadovicova, Slovakia, shooting

March – Maria Paula Barrera, Colombia, swimming

April – Jean Claude Niringiyimana, Rwanda, taekwondo

May – Evan Medell, USA, taekwondo

June – Alfie Hewett, Great Britain, wheelchair tennis

July – Petrucio Ferreira, Brazil, athletics

August – U Cheol Park, South Korea, wheelchair rugby