The Paralympics are back in Tokyo after being postponed last year due to the Covid pandemic, which means 12 more days of sport lie ahead for those who got swept up in the Olympics.
Viewers at home were caught up in the action as Team GB performed admirably, sweeping 65 medals and coming fourth overall.
With the Games set to start on Tuesday, here’s the athletes looking to make their mark this year.
Ones to watch at the 2020 Paralympics
From world record holders looking to retain their titles to impressive debuts, here are some of the top athletes from around the world.
Zahra Nemati, Iran
Archer Nemati is the one to beat after winning Paralympic gold at the women’s individual recurve open at London 2012 and then again four years later at Rio 2016.
The defending champion also competed at Rio in both Olympic and Paralympic archery events, which makes her the only female archer from Iran to do so.
Markus Rehm, Germany
Rehm, aka the Blade Jumper, is an athletics legend.
In June, the reigning Paralympic champion topped his men’s long jump world record at the European Championships by 14 centimetres. The Blade Jumper is looking to defend his Rio 2016 title in the same event at Tokyo 2020.
Carol Cooke, Australia
Cyclist Carol Cooke will be 60 at the start of the Games, which goes to show that nothing stops this Aussie from achieving her dreams.
She made the line-up for the first time at the Paralympic Games in London 2012, where she’d go on to win a gold medal.
She later doubled that with two golds at Rio 2016.
Eduardo Avila Sanchez, Mexico
‘The Judo Man’ from Mexico, Sanchez is a three-time Paralympic medallist having won two gold titles in Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016 and a bronze medal at London 2012.
In his fourth Paralympics at Tokyo, Sanchez will attempt to defend his title and end his Paralympic career on a high note as he plans to retire afterwards.
Ibrahim Hamadtou, Egypt
Earning international fame for his incredible skills, Egypt’s tennis table competitor Ibrahim Hamadtou has wowed fans from all four corners of the world map with his inspirational story.
Having lost both arms in a train accident aged 10, Hamadtou is famous for his unique approach to table tennis, holding the racket in his mouth and flicking the ball up in the air with his feet when serving.
The electrifying Egyptian made his Paralympic Games debut in Rio and will be Africa’s sole representative in the men’s singles class 6 in Tokyo.
Team GB: athletes to look out for at the Paralympics
Hollie Arnold
Arnold is the current Paralympic champion in javelin, having taken gold at the 2016 Games in Rio.
Since then, she’s also won both the European Championships and Commonwealth Games, setting her sights on winning in Tokyo.
Samantha Kinghorn
The fastest ever British female wheelchair racer over 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m distances, all eyes will be on Kinghorn during the 2020 Games.
Kadeena Cox
Cox was one of the biggest British success stories from Rio, competing both in cycling and track and field events.
She’ll be competing on the bike in the 500m track race, while also competing in athletics.
Kare Adenegan
2018’s Young Sports Personality of the Year recipient and accomplished wheelchair racer Adenegan won a silver medal and two bronze medals in Rio, aged just 15.
She also set a new world record in the 2018 Müller Anniversary Games, with a time of 16.80 seconds in the T34 100m.
Maisie Summers-Newton
Swimmer Maisie is making her debut on the Paralympic stage in Tokyo – yet she’s already a world record holder, having set the 200m individual medley time twice in one year during her 2019 competitions.
Ellie Simmonds
Maisie will actually be competing against her idol, and the woman who inspired her to compete.
Ellie Simmonds OBE is one of the most recognised athletes in world para-swimming and made headlines with her inspirational, emotional tearful celebrations after winning gold at the Beijing Paralympic Games.
She then came back for more, winning titles at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Maisie spoke to the Sun about Ellie’s impact.
She said: ‘I saw what Ellie had done for the country and how she had made everyone proud. That was something I could relate to. I remember watching the Games and that definitely triggered my want to swim and, hopefully, be at the level Ellie achieved.’
‘Ellie just inspires me. We relate in so many ways. She gives me so much advice.’
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