PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

APC President honours Kosmala, Modra
Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) President Greg Hartung awarded shooter Libby Kosmala and cyclist Kieran Modra the President’s Medal for Excellence in Sportsmanship.

Kunieda, Griffioen, Wagner win Wheelchair Tennis Masters titles
Japan’s Shingo Kunieda and the Netherland’s Jiske Griffioen were victorious in singles at the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, while USA’s David Wagner won the quads title.

Ice sledge hockey Worlds take to Serbia
Six teams will compete at the 2012 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey B Pool World Championships this week in Novi Sad, Serbia.

No. 50: Evers wins 1st gold in intellectually impaired class
The No. 50 moment in Paralympic sport of 2012 is when Dutch swimmer Marc Evers became the first athlete with an intellectual impairment to win Paralympic gold since Sydney 2000.

100 days to go until IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships
La Molina, Spain, to host world’s best skiers in last major Championships before Sochi 2014 Paralympics

Rio 2016 announces mascot contest
The Rio 2016 Organising Committee is calling upon Brazilian professionals and companies to submit proposals for the 2016 Paralympic Games mascot.

Lex Gillette: Message ‘four’ you
London 2012 silver medallist Lex Gillette of USA blogs about how the next four-year journey begins now.

Top 50 Paralympic Moments of 2012
Starting on Monday (12 November), the IPC will count down the Top 50 Paralympic Moments of 2012.

44th anniversary of 1968 Games
Here’s a look back at the Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games, which were held 44 years ago this week.

Finland, Norway qualify for Wheelchair Curling Worlds
Both Finland and Norway advanced to February’s Wheelchair Curling World Championships after finishing in the top two at the qualifying event.

NPCs receive piece of London 2012 cauldron
All 164 nations that participated in the London 2012 Games will received a handmade copper petal from the Paralympic cauldron.

Freney named Australia’s Paralympian of the Year
With eight golds at London 2012, swimmer Jacqueline Freney was named Australia’s Paralympian and Female Athlete of the Year, as Evan O’Hanlon won Male Athlete of the Year.

Finland, Norway, Latvia, Italy move on
The top four teams at the World Wheelchair Curling Qualification event have advanced to the playoff round.

Colin Lynch: Falling
Irish para-cyclist Colin Lynch blogs about getting back on the bike after failing to medal at London 2012.

IPC pays tribute to Paralympic pioneer Blomqwist
Birgitta Blomqwist, a key player in transforming the classification system has passed away. The IPC pays tribute to her and mourns her loss.

Sochi 2014 holds World Press Briefing
The Sochi 2014 organising committee invited the world’s press and media representatives to Russia this week for a brief orientation.

Selyukin to spur on Russian sledge hockey squad
Vadium Selyukin has gone through a lot in his life en route to becoming captain of Russia’s team for their first ice sledge hockey World Championships next week.

Houdet, Kunieda to headline Wheelchair Tennis Masters
France’s Stephane Houdet and Shingo Kunieda will fight for the men’s title, while Esther Vergeer’s withdrawal leaves the women’s competition wide open.

Switzerland knocks off Italy
Switzerland gave Italy its first defeat, Finland picked up three victories and Denmark remained winless at the World Wheelchair Curling Qualification tournament.

Yannick Bourseaux: The dual-sport athlete
Immediately after winning the para-triathlon world title, Yannick Bourseaux left New Zealand, returning to France to prepare for Sochi 2014.