US Paralympic champions nominated for 2017 ESPYs
Awards recognise sporting achievements during 2016. 28 Jun 2017
US Paralympic champions Brad Snyder (L) and Shawn Morelli are nominated for the 2017 ESPYs.
Ten US Paralympic and world champions have been nominated for ESPN’s 2017 ESPYs Awards in the ‘Best Male Athlete with a Disability’ and ‘Best Female Athlete with a Disability’ categories, recognising their sporting achievements in 2016.
Best Male Athlete with a Disability
Will Groulx, cycling: Won the men’s road race H2 at the Rio Paralympics. He followed that up with silvers in the time trial H2 and the team relay H2-5.
Mike Minor, snowboarding: Claimed one gold and one silver at the World Championships in Big White, Canada. He also finished top of both the snowboard-cross and banked slalom SB-UL season rankings.
Steve Serio, wheelchair basketball: Was fundamental in US men’s team success at Rio 2016, where it won Paralympic gold again after 28 years.
Brad Snyder, swimming: Enjoyed his best Paralympic Games to date, in Rio, winning three golds and one silver. He even broke a 30-year-old world record in the 100m freestyle S11.
Roderick Townsend, athletics: Set two Paralympic records on his way to double gold in the men’s long jump and high jump T47 at Rio 2016.
Best Female Athlete with a Disability
Oksana Masters, Nordic skiing: Sealed her country’s four golds at the World Championships in Finsterau, Germany. She also added a bronze to her medal tally and finished top of the women’s cross-country overall rankings.
Tatyana McFadden, athletics: Won four golds and two silvers at Rio 2016, rounding off her most successful Paralympic Games to date.
Becca Meyers, swimming: Claimed her first three Paralympic titles in Rio, setting two worlds records along the way. She also won a silver medal and broke a third world record in the women's 200m freestyle S13.
Shawn Morelli, cycling: Left Rio with two gold medals after winning the women’s time trial C4 and the 3,000m individual pursuit C4.
Grace Norman, triathlon: Competed in two sports at Rio 2016; won gold in the women’s PT4 (triathlon) before going on to seal silver in the women’s 400m T44 (athletics).
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