Vote now for the Allianz Athlete of the Month Best Youngster

The next round of athletes is now out for the public vote after a packed month of para-sport in August. 19 Sep 2014

A Dutch swimmers celebrates winning gold at the 2014 IPC Swimming European Championships

Chantalle Zijderveld, just 13-years-old, won gold in the women's 100m breaststroke SB9 in a new European record time for the Netherlands at Eindhoven 2014.

ⒸKees-Jan van Overbeeke

By IPC

Following a bumper month of para-sport, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) split August's Allianz Athlete of the Month into three categories - Best Male, Best Female and Best Youngster.

After completing the votes for Best Male and Best Female, the public now has the chance to vote for the Best Youngster.

The nominations are as follows:

Chantalle Zijderveld (NED) IPC Swimming – At just 13-years of age, Zijderveld is the Netherlands’ latest swimming prodigy after taking gold in the 100m breaststroke SB9 in a new European record time on home soil at the IPC Swimming European Championships in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Maria Lyle (GBR) IPC Athletics –Lyle, at just 14-years-old, won double gold at the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea, Great Britain, to beat Italian world champion Oxana Corso in the women’s 100m and 200m T35.

Federico Morlacchi (ITA) IPC Swimming –Morlacchi is one of Italy’s biggest medal hopes heading towards Rio 2016. The 20-year-old won his first European title and five gold medals at the IPC Swimming European Championships.

Lauren Steadman (GBR) para-triathlon –Steadman caused the shock of the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, with the 21-year-old beating compatriot and four-time world Champion Faye McClelland to end her dominance of the PT4 category.

Ian Silverman (USA) IPC Swimming – Silverman (18-years-old) broke a 13-year-old world record in the 400m freestyle S10 at the 2014 Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships in Pasadena, California.

Andrew Mullen (GBR) IPC Swimming – 17-year-old Mullen put in an excellent display at the 2014 Europeans, winning four gold medals and setting two new European records.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian swimmer Yevheniy Bohodayko was announced as the winner of the Best Male category on 11 September, following his performance the 2014 IPC Swimming European Championships.

Italy’s para-equestrian rider Sara Morganti was then named Best Female on 18 September, after causing the shock of the Alltech 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games.

The public has until 12:00 (CEST) on 26 September to vote for their favourite via the official IPC website.

The nominations are compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and International Federations (IFs).