PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Paralympic champion Valenzuela shines at National Games
The London 2012 athletics gold medallist won gold in the men’s 1,500m and 5,000m T11 at the Chilean Para National Games, on 11 May.

Joany Badenhorst: My top three moments of 2017
The women’s snowboard-cross SB-LL2 World Cup winner shared her season highlights.

Brazil to help develop sitting volleyball in Japan
The Brazilian Paralympic Committee signed a collaboration agreement with the Japanese city of Kakogawa ahead of Tokyo 2020.

Bruno Carra aims to reach Worlds podium in Mexico
After finishing fourth at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, Brazil’s 28-year-old powerlifter seeks to take another leap forward at this year’s Worlds.

Preview: Beijing World Para Athletics Grand Prix
More than 200 athletes from 14 countries will compete in the Chinese capital between 13-15 May.

The IPC greatly encouraged by Tokyo 2020 progress
The third IPC Tokyo 2020 Project Review took place between 10-11 May.

2018 Para Central American Games’ host city confirmed
Managua, Nicaragua, will stage the event from 21-28 January, with around 250 athletes from six countries competing across six sports.

Para rowing season kicks off in Gavirate
Great Britain’s mixed coxed four crew, as well as Norway’s Birgit Skarstein are among those to watch for.
Canada name Nordic skiing team for 2017-18
Eleven athletes will wear the maple leaf on the World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup circuit.

Adam Dixon named Americas ‘Athlete of the Month’
The popular vote chose the Canadian Para ice hockey player as the best athlete in the Americas in April 2017.