Para Climbing proposed for 2028 Paralympic Games

LOS ANGELES — The LA 2028 Paralympic Games have submitted a proposal to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for the 2028 Paralympic Games program. The organizers announced the proposal on Wednesday.

By making the announcement LA has become the first organizing committee to propose additional sports for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the same games.

“LA28 is proud to propose adding Para Climbing to the Paralympic Sport Program, and to be the first organizing committee in history to propose a new sport for the Paralympic Games,” said LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans.

“We would like to thank the International Paralympic Committee for giving us the opportunity to add this exciting sport in 2028. We see this as a unique chance to give more athletes the ability to compete on the world’s biggest stage, while creating an expansive and elite adaptive sport program that exemplifies LA28’s commitment to elevating the Paralympic Movement.”

Last January the initial sports program was approved with 22 sports. Beyond those 22 sports the IPC gave the organizers the rights to add a new sport from a shortlist of options and submit it for approval.

That approval vote will come in just two weeks when the IPC Governing Board has an already scheduled meeting on June 26^th. If it receives approval the sport will be added to the Paralympic Games for the first time.

The decision comes as a blow for CP Football, which was seeking readmission to the Paralympic Games following its recent removal, working on meeting more criteria for readmission, with the organization believing it was close to doing enough.

Sailing will also be disappointed to miss out, the sport had been a surprise exclusion, and World Sailing still believes it would meet the criteria to return but again those hopes were dashed.

Para Climbing already has a following and an elite level tour run by the same organization that runs sport climbing at the Olympic Games. It will make it an easier venue choice than other options as nothing much needs to be used, it’s just a matter of erecting a rock wall.

Takuya Miki stuns Martin de la Puente in Roland Garros first round

PARIS — The wheelchair tennis matches got underway at Roland Garros on Tuesday and the first round immediately saw an upset with Takuya Miki (JPN) taking out the number four seed, Martin de la Puente (ESP) in the first round.

In a tight first set Miki claimed the win 7-5 but things appeared to be stabilizing for de la Puente in the second which he claimed 6-3. Miki stormed back to win the third set 6-4, his second win in a grand slam. What is notable is that the pair both won 111 points but Miki was able to claim far more crucial points to win the match.

The rest of the men’s singles matches went as expected with wins for Alfie Hewett (GBR), Gordon Reid (GBR), Gustavo Fernandez (ARG), Alexander Cataldo (CHI), Tom Egberink (NED), and Tokito Oda (JPN) all in straight sets. Oda had the only scare of the group, only winning the first set on a tie-break 9-7 against Ruben Spaargaren (NED).

Another Asian player produced an upset in the women’s singles with Zhenzhen Zhu (CHN) taking out the number four seed Jiske Griffioen (NED) in straight sets. Zhu was made to work for it, winning the second only on a 7-5 tie-break.

Much like the men’s draw the rest was all straight sets wins for the favorites. Diede De Groot (NED), Aniek Van Koot (NED), Diana Mathewson (USA), Lizy De Greef (NED), Momoko Ohtani (JPN), and Yui Kamiji (JPN).

This year marks an historic tournament in Roland Garros as for the first time there will be youth championships at the grand slam. Tournaments in boys and girls singles and doubles start later this week with four competitors seeking to win the historic honor.

Nordic Skiing Season Finally Opens Season

TOBLACH, Italy — After cancelled events in Poland last week the Nordic Skiing system finally got underway this weekend in Toblach.

The United States came away with four wins in the 10km classical events. Jake Adicoff (Guide: Jake Brown) won the men’s vision impaired double, finishing in a time of 30:37.9 in the time trial, just clear of Zebasitian Modin (SWE, Guide: Emil Joensson) who had a factored time of 30:53.4. Thursday’s finish was even closer, a one second win for Adicoff in the mass start, Modin just couldn’t close the gap.

The other US golds were won by a familiar face, Oksana Masters, finishing just 20 seconds clear of teammate Kendall Gretsch to win the women’s sitting races both days.

North America wasn’t done with medals in the 10km classical races there; Canadian Mark Arendz claimed the men’s standing race finishing almost one minute ahead of his nearest rival. His was the only win that wasn’t repeated in the mass start race, swapping second place with Japanese skier Taiki Kawayoke.

His teammate Brittany Hudak medaled in the women’s standing interval start, finishing a distant second to Norwegian great Vilde Nilsen before finishing third in the mass-start which was again won by Nilsen.

The hosts had something to cheer about in the men’s sitting which was claimed by Giuseppe Romele who beat out Ukrainian Pavlo Bal twice. This race saw more medals the Canadians with Derek Zaplotinsky claiming bronze in both races.

Germany dominated the women’s vision impaired races with Linn Kazmaier (Guide: Florian Baumann) finishing well in front of her teammate Leonie Maria Walter (Guide: Christian Krasman) to win both races.

Sundays saw the event switch to freestyle after the sprit races were cancelled. It opened with another home gold for Romele to sweep the men’s sitting classification. This time it was Brazilian Cristian Westemaier Barrera who finished second, relegating Bal to bronze.

Masters also completed her sweep, again beating teammate Gretsch, by just five seconds, as the two set a marker for the rest of the field to try and catch next week in Martell.

The men’s standing saw a drastically different result on Sunday with German Marco Meier claiming gold with Arendz not starting the race. Serheii Romaniuk (UKR) finished in second just seven seconds back. Nilsen completed her sweep of the women’s standing events easily, more than a minute ahead of Ukrainian duo Oleksandra Kononova and Liudmyla Liashenko.

Adicoff completed his sweep of the men’s vision impaired races, putting the Americans top of the medal table with six. The German domination of the women’s standing was broken in the freestyle race when Simona Bubenickova (CZE) claimed the gold by seven seconds from Kazmaier.

Photos: Newspower.it

Liana Mutia relaxed ahead of Paris 2024

The last three years have been full of change for American Judoka Liana Mutia. After competing in her first Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 she has found herself as a college graduate, in a new job, and a new town and those things have helped her come in to her second Games more relaxed.

Those changes have created some security in her life, for many para athletes winning at the Paralympics is a must to earn money. This perhaps speaks to the discrimination that people with disabilities face every day. For Mutia that security gives freedom.

“That’s the biggest change between my first Paralympics when I was a student and I had no money,” said Mutia. “Now I have a job, it’s disposable income. I am extremely happy to represent my country on the world’s biggest stage and then going back to my regular day job instead of going back and having to do all this work to survive.”

Not every athlete has that luxury and that is something the American doesn’t take for granted.

“This isn’t there for other athletes. If they don’t get a medal or they lose they lose their job, their resources, their home. I’ve been able to mitigate failure, I’m not worried about losing my home.”

That doesn’t mean that those changes don’t come with challenges. Even couch warriors know that it’s hard to work 40 hours a week and compete at a sport, that increases infinitely for an elite athlete like Mutia where it’s essentially two full-time jobs.

“I work a regular nine to five and I train 30 to 40 hours a week,” explains Mutia. “There’s a gym literally a few floors above where I work so I train all morning right before work. It’s very meticulous and organized. I majored in project management so it’s just management skills and resources.”

The other thing elite athletes have to deal with is time off of work and fortunately her employer has been understanding. Much like other workers, she just has to line up her calendar and request the time off but she says she feels comfortable doing so.

Beyond her personal changes much has changed around the Paralympics in the last three years. Judo has changed how it works, with weight class changes and for the first-time classifications.

“I feel more natural in this weight class. Instead of feeling undersized or oversized or whatever I feel natural at 57 kilos rather than 63 which is great,” said Mutia. “When I was younger I felt a bit undersized. From 21 to 25 (years-old) I feel like my body has only got better and I feel like physically I’ve adapted to the sport.”

Mutia is currently ranked number one in the world, that may heighten expectations, she’s certainly expectant, but for her that doesn’t equate to pressure.

“If anything the ranking takes a lot of pressure off. Qualification isn’t as stressful and so I can be more confident going in to Paris, and not stress about dropping out early, I know what I can do. Gold is my goal.”

Mutia will compete in the women’s B1 57kg classification in Paris coming in after winning silver at the 2023 Para Pan American Games.

Murderer Oscar Pistorius Released From Prison

PRETORIA, South Africa — Murder and disgraced former Paralympian, Oscar Pistorius was released from prison on parole on Friday by authorities in Pretoria.

Pistorius’ sentence is due to expire in 2029 became a parolee as of the 5^th of January, released almost 11 years since he murdered Reeva Steenkamp on Valentines Day 2013.

Steenkamp’s family has consistently opposed his release, saying that he was not remorseful or rehabilitated. Adding to the frustration for the Steenkamps was the fact that Pistorius’ parole was denied in March with the impression that it would be considered in a year. The family didn’t contest the release citing a lack of energy to keep facing the man that murdered their daughter.

The family made a statement through a lawyer on Friday “There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back.”

That time served came out to be just eight and a half years, in addition to seven months under house arrest while awaiting trial. This is longer than his original sentence of five years, being found guilty of culpable homicide. But the prosecution appealed to the Supreme Court which increased the crime to murder, giving him one additional year. On further appeal Pistorius was given his final sentence of 13 years and five months after the judge described the sentence as “shockingly lenient”.

Women’s rights group, Women for Change, echoed that sentiment “We are talking about somebody’s life that’s been taken… The fact that someone can walk out free eight years later, it tells us that it’s not that big of a deal,” said spokesperson Bulelwa Adonis, adding that on average 12 women are murdered in South Africa every day.

Like many countries, South Africa allows convicts to complete their sentence at home after completing most of their time in prison. Pistorius will be closely monitored for the next six years and he will have to update officials if he seeks work or moves. The Steenkamp family also stated that Pistorius will be required to undergo Anger Management classes and attend sessions on gender-based violence something that has been a blight on South Africa.

Reporters had gathered at the front of the gates at his Uncle’s wealthy Pretoria neighborhood, where he is expected to live, but he was snuck inside through a back entrance.

One of the most financially successful para athletes, Pistorius’ sponsors eventually abandoned him after the conviction, however given his family’s wealth, accumulated during apartheid, he won’t have any financial worries.

Reva Steenkamp’s family has started a foundation, the Steenkamp Foundation, to “help prevent similar cases in the future”. Donations can be made on the foundation’s website.

Brazil dominates Para Pan American Games Badminton

Danielle Souza (BRA) in action on the way to winning the SH-1 title (BWF)

SANTIAGO, Chile — Much like the rest of the Para Pan American Games Brazil proved to be the most successful team in badminton in Santiago. Brazilian players won nine gold medals in a dominant performance.

Two gold medals came from the pair of Marcelo Conceicao and Rogerio Olivera both winning their singles and doubles titles. Conceicao won the WH1 men’s singles and WH1-2 men’s doubles and Olivera won the SL4 men’s singles and SL3-SU5 mixed doubles. The WH1-2 men’s doubles was guaranteed to be a Brazilian gold as Conceicao and partner Julio Cesar Godoy defeated fellow Brazilians Edmar Francisco Barbosa and Radolfo Renato Cano.

Yuki Rodrigues was the only other male winner, claiming the men’s SU5 men’s singles. Brazil swept the WH1 singles crowns with Daniele Souza claiming the women’s, the same holding true in the SL4 with Ana Carolina Reis completing the sweep. The other gold medals came from women’s singles through Abinaecia Silva (SL3) and Mikaela Almeida (SU5).

Two non-Brazilians claimed double gold with Peru’s world champion Pilar Jauregui claiming the WH2 women’s singles and WH1-2 women’s doubles with Jaquelin Burgos Javier. The other double champion was from the USA with Miles Krajewski claiming the SH6 men’s singles and the SH6 mixed doubles with Jayci Simon.

Chile also managed one gold through Jaime Aranguiz who defeated Godoy in the WH2 men’s singles final, denying Brazil another gold medal.

While there was no automatic qualification spot on the line for winning the Para Pan American Games, there were vital “Race to Paris” rankings points that will give the winners a significant boost.

Paralympic Champions add to their resumes at Para Pan American Games

SANTIAGO, Chile — The big names in the athletics at the 2023 Para Pan American Games showed that they are still at the top of the game with gold going the way of the superstars on the first day of competition on the track and in the field.

Omar Durand (guide: Yuniol Kindalen) cruised to gold in the women’s 200m T12 for the third straight time. It wasn’t just winning that was expected it was the margin as the Cuban finished two seconds clear of silver medalist Alejandra Perez (VEN) with a time of 23.63.

That wasn’t her best time of the event, breaking the meet record with a 23.59 in the qualifying round. If she can shave half a second in the next year she could break her own world record in Paris.

One world record did fall, with Elizabeth Rodrigues (BRA) breaking her own women’s discus F53 record. At 58 years old Rodrigues just keeps getting better, breaking the world record she set in Tokyo with a throw of 17.80m, winning the gold and sending a message to the rest of the world.

“I am extremely happy with this world record. It means that the work that we are doing is great. I am already preparing for Paris 2024, but this result in the Parapan American Games makes me feel like if I were in my first competition”, said Rodrigues after the event.

Brazil’s favorites continued winning in the men’s 5000m T11 with Yeltsin Jacques Ortega (guide: Edelson De Avila) running 15:13.10. That saw him demolish the meet record by 26 seconds, showing continued improvement after winning gold in Tokyo.

There was a Brazilian battle in the women’s 200m T11 in a thrilling race. Jerusa Gerber edged out Thalita Simplico, reversing their finishing order from the Paralympic Games where they were second and third. Gerber went on to tell the world that the 100m is the one she really expects to do well as it is her preferred event.

Another meet record fell in the women’s shot put F20 through Poleth Isamar Mendes (ECU) as she extended the record with a throw of 13.91 for her second straight gold in the event.

The biggest upset of the day came in the men’s 400m T38 as American Ryan Medrano beat Mexico’s Paralympic Champion, Jose Rodolfo Chessani.

Brazil is well out in front in the Para Pan American Games medal tally with 67 gold, 45 silver and 43 bronze. The USA is second but well off the pace with 20 gold.

All photos: Marcelo Hernández / Santiago 2023 via Photosport

Pakistan launches wheelchair tennis coaching camp

Pakistan’s wheelchair tennis camp participants.

LAHORE, Pakistan — Pakistan’s sports ministry together with the International Tennis Federation and the Pakistan Tennis Federation launched its first wheelchair tennis coaching camp in Lahore on Tuesday.

The camp was the next step in developing wheelchair tennis in Pakistan following on from the first tournament held in Karachi earlier this year.

The PTA announced that secretary Rashid Malik will be overseeing the sport in Punjab province and will act as a coach. He will also be looking for other athletes to join the program.

“This is a commendable effort by Mr. Khalid Rehmani, a pioneer of wheelchair tennis in Pakistan. In Punjab, under the guidance of Mr. Rashid Malik, wheelchair players will receive training and grooming aimed at transforming them into champions.” Said Sports Secretary Shahid Zaman.

Through the partnership with the sports ministry and the ITF the camp will be supplied with rackets and balls. Access to tennis courts will be free of charge for those participating in the training.

“Our primary goal for 2024 is to prepare wheelchair tennis players for the Paris Paralympics and ITF Unilock Asia Region Cup Wheelchair Tennis,” said Khalid Rehmani. “We plan to gather talented wheelchair tennis players from every corner of the country, provide them with training and grooming, and select the best among them for these major events.”

The mention of Paris is an interesting one which may imply that Pakistan has been given a bipatriate invitation to add diversity in the nations in the tournament.

The next step for the PTA will be to introduce wheelchair tennis to the Quetta region.

Paralympic Games tickets on sale now

French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron plays Wheelchair Basketball to urge Parisians to buy tickets for the Paralympic Games. (SARAH MEYSSONNIER/AFR)

PARIS — Tickets for the 2024 Paralympic Games went on sale on Monday and by Tuesday afternoon some sessions already saw sellouts.

2.8 million tickets went on sale with prices ranging from 15 to 700 Euros. Every sport has tickets available for 15 Euros.

The organizers have also made a “Discovery Pass” available for 25 Euros which will allow ticket holders to see every event in a given region. The ticket is available only for Paris Centre and South Paris. Paris Centre includes archery, blind football, judo, taekwondo, wheelchair fencing and wheelchair rugby South Paris includes boccia, goalball and table tennis so all the sports held at the South Paris Arena.  

After Tokyo 2020 had no spectators, fans have quickly jumped to claim tickets for the first Paralympic Games since 2016 to have fans in attendance.

Iconic venues are used throughout the Games, with the opening ceremony taking place in the city proper, blind football will be at a temporary stadium built at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, equestrian will be held at the Chateau de Versailles and tennis at the iconic Roland Garos.

French President Emmanuel Macron encouraged local fans to get behind the Games, a statement echoed by French badminton player Faustine Noel.

“It’s a chance to represent your nation in your nation. The spectators will help us compete. I really enjoy that France is hosting the Paralympic Games because all family and friends can come. We know that it can be more pressure, but I will enjoy that.”

China continues to assert dominance at World Wheelchair Fencing Championships

TERNI, Italy — Friday was a day for team events at the World Wheelchair Fencing Championships and it was China who claimed success winning both events.

The home fans were especially disappointed by the men’s sabre loss which saw Italy defeated by China. It looked like it was going to be a dominant win for the Chinese fencers when Edoardo Giordan coming in to face Yanke Feng 20-2 down. Giordan claimed 21 points to pull Italy back into the contest.

But that was as good as it would get as Chinese fencers Yeng Cheng, Li Hao and Feng pulled away to claim the world title.

The bronze medal match was also a European v Asian battle. This time it was the Europeans that came out as victors. The French team of Ludovic Lemoine, Maxime Valet and Serge Robin claimed victory over India.

China claimed the other team gold of the day with a tighter win in the women’s team epee. Thailand fought hard but fell to a 45-43 scoreline to the defending Paralympic champions.

Xufeng Zou led the team, fresh from claiming the individual world title in the A category, winning all of her bouts. The B category winner, Saysunee Jana, pulled Thailand back into the bout to make it a close finish but couldn’t do enough to overcome the deficit.

France couldn’t get a double bronze as they fell to Hungary in the bronze medal bout, allowing the Hungarians to finish in the same position as four years ago. There were seven lead changes before Hungary finally pulled away through Amarilla Veres to claim a 45-37 win.

Saturday will see competition continue with the women’s foil and men’s epee individual events.