PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

No. 35: Egyptian powerlifter wins battle of giants
When Egypt’s Fatma Omar won the -56kg powerlifting competition in London, she stole the hearts of the crowd and earned herself spot No. 35 in the top 50 moments of 2012.

3 Paralympians up for BBC’s SPOTY
London 2012 Paralympic gold medallists Sarah Storey, Ellie Simmonds and David Weir have all been nominated for BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.

Sochi’s Accessibility Map project wins Runet Award
The Sochi 2014 organising committee’s online Accessibility Map was awarded for its advancement in technology and social purpose.

No. 36: Perfect shot with moments to spare
With seconds left on the clock, Greece’s Greg Polychronidis was just one ball away from his dream of Paralympic gold. His winning shot, when the pressure was on, is the No. 36 moment of 2012.

Swedish Paralympic champions nominated for Jerringpriset
Peter Vikström and Stefan Olsson, Anna-Carin Ahlquist, Maja Reichard and Jonas Jacobsson are up for one of Sweden’s most prestigious sport awards.

Vergeer, Pistorius discuss future of Paralympic Games
Wheelchair tennis gold medallist Esther Vergeer and blade runner Oscar Pistorius shared their views last week on what’s next for the Paralympic Movement.
No. 37: Argentina’s rising wheelchair tennis star
Gustavo Fernandez, 18, beat three of the world’s top four players at the Japan Open in May, making for the No. 37 moment of 2012.

No. 38: Belgium’s George pulls in double surprise
Equestrian rider Michèle George won two surprise golds at London 2012, making for the No. 38 moment of the year in Paralympic sport.

Landgraaf spells trouble for Thursday’s victors
In a reversal of fortunes, three of Thursday’s IPC Alpine Skiing gold medallists failed to finish in a day at SnowWorld in Landgraaf, the Netherlands.

Ice sledge hockey growing triple-fold
In the last 16 years eight countries have been added to the ice sledge hockey World Championship programme.

No. 39: Russia dominate IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup
Last season, Russia dominated the World Cup rankings to come in as the No. 39 moment of 2012 after taking seven of 12 trophies in biathlon and cross-country.

No. 40: Japan triumph in sudden-death throw
The Japan-Sweden women’s goalball semi-final plunged into sudden death during the Paralympic Games at the Copper Box, making it the No. 40 moment of 2012.

Paralympic champion Oliveira could be face of Rio 2016
Alan Cardoso Fonteles Oliveira beat Oscar Pistorius in London and is now garnering more attention with the Paralympics coming to his native Brazil.

Success of London 2012 underlines the potential for Rio 2016
IPC reveals record international TV audiences for London 2012 and challenges Rio to build on the success

Japan to host 2013 Ice Sledge Hockey B Pool Worlds
Nagano, Japan, which hosted the 1998 Paralympic Winter Games, will host the next Ice Sledge Hockey B Pool World Championships.

Murphy and Mentel claim first snowboard victory
The road to Sochi has already begun with snowboarders and alpine skiers picking up their first IPCAS points of the season, getting them one step closer to qualifying for the winter Paralympics.
IPC President challenges Rio 2016 to surpass London 2012
London 2012 debrief opens in Rio with IPC President laying down the gauntlet to the 2016 host city