US Paralympic champions nominated for 2017 ESPYs

Ten US Paralympic and world champions have been nominated for ESPN’s 2017 ESPYs Awards in the ‘Best Male Athlete with a Disability’ and ‘Best Female Athlete with a Disability’ categories, recognising their sporting achievements in 2016.

Best Male Athlete with a Disability

Will Groulx, cycling: Won the men’s road race H2 at the Rio Paralympics. He followed that up with silvers in the time trial H2 and the team relay H2-5.

Mike Minor, snowboarding: Claimed one gold and one silver at the World Championships in Big White, Canada. He also finished top of both the snowboard-cross and banked slalom SB-UL season rankings.

Steve Serio, wheelchair basketball: Was fundamental in US men’s team success at Rio 2016, where it won Paralympic gold again after 28 years.

Brad Snyder, swimming: Enjoyed his best Paralympic Games to date, in Rio, winning three golds and one silver. He even broke a 30-year-old world record in the 100m freestyle S11.

Roderick Townsend, athletics: Set two Paralympic records on his way to double gold in the men’s long jump and high jump T47 at Rio 2016.

Best Female Athlete with a Disability

Oksana Masters, Nordic skiing: Sealed her country’s four golds at the World Championships in Finsterau, Germany. She also added a bronze to her medal tally and finished top of the women’s cross-country overall rankings.

Tatyana McFadden, athletics: Won four golds and two silvers at Rio 2016, rounding off her most successful Paralympic Games to date.

Becca Meyers, swimming: Claimed her first three Paralympic titles in Rio, setting two worlds records along the way. She also won a silver medal and broke a third world record in the women's 200m freestyle S13.

Shawn Morelli, cycling: Left Rio with two gold medals after winning the women’s time trial C4 and the 3,000m individual pursuit C4.

Grace Norman, triathlon: Competed in two sports at Rio 2016; won gold in the women’s PT4 (triathlon) before going on to seal silver in the women’s 400m T44 (athletics).

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