10 to watch at the Paris Paralympics

08/29/2024 07:14 AM

We take a look at some of the leading contenders for track and field gold in the French capital at the 2024 Games

Hannah Cockroft GBR

Age: 32 • Events: T34 100m and 800m

The seven-time Paralympic champion will be competing at her fourth consecutive Games, following her victories in London, Rio and Tokyo. 

Ezra Frech USA

Age: 19 • Events: T63 High Jump, Long Jump & 100m

The American teenager underlined his high jumping talent when he shattered the men's T63 high jump world record with a 1.95m leap at the 2023 World Championships, where he claimed the gold medal.

Thomas Young GBR

Age: 24 • Event: T38 100m

The Briton made a remarkable entry into para-sport in 2018, securing double gold in the T38 100m and 200m at the European Championships. Just a year later, he added a World Championship silver to his collection, before achieving the pinnacle of success as the Paralympic champion in Tokyo.

Fleur Jong NED

Age: 28 • Events: T62
Long Jump and 100m

In 2023, she shattered the world record in the women's T62 long jump while jumping 6.74m, while also setting a world record of 12.46 in the 100m.

Timothee Adolphe FRA

Age: 34 • Event: T11 100m

With the home crowd behind him, the vision-impaired Frenchman will be more determined than ever to win his first Paralympic gold after earning silver in Tokyo.

Aled Davies GBR

Age: 33 • Event: F63 Shot Put

When it comes to throwing, Aled Davies is the one to beat. His latest triumph came at the World Championships in Kobe, where he claimed his 10th gold medal with a throw of 15.60m.

Catherine Debrunner SWI

Age: 29 • Events: 100m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m and the marathon

With five World Championships gold medals to her name, the Swiss athlete will be eager to dominate on the track and retain her 400m T53 title.

Sophie Hahn GBR

Age: 27 • Event: T38 100m

After equalling her own world record in the heats in Tokyo, Hahn went on to claim gold for Great Britain in 2021. She will have her 12.38 world record in her sights in Paris, having run 12.55 at the London Diamond League in July.

Sumit Antil IND

Age: 26 • Event: F64 Javelin

As India sends its largest-ever contingent to the Paralympics, all eyes are on Sumit Antil, a true icon in Indian para sports. Antil is the reigning Paralympic and world champion in the men's javelin F64 category, consistently proving himself on the global stage. 

Ambra Sabatini ITA

Age: 22 • Event: T63 100m

Ambra Sabatini blasted her way into the history books in 2023 as the first woman with an above-the-knee amputation to run the 100m in under 14 seconds.

» This is an edited version of a feature which is available in the latest issue of AW magazine. To buy a copy click here

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