Para sport review: June 2018

Blind football and goalball world champions crowned 30 Jun 2018 By IPC

IBSA Blind Football World Championships

Brazil claimed their fifth title following a 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Argentina in the final held in Madrid, Spain, on 17 June. It was the biggest World Championships to date, with 16 teams competing including debutants Costa Rica, Mali, Russia*, Thailand and Iran.

 

IBSA Goalball World Championships

More success for Brazil, who retained the men’s title, while Russia topped the women’s podium in Malmo, Sweden. With 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams competing, the event delivered some great moments and tickets for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

 

Roland Garros

Japan celebrated double success with Shingo Kunieda and Yui Kamiji winning the respective men’s and women’s singles titles in Paris, France. With his 22nd Grand Slam singles title, Kunieda returned to the world No.1 spot, while Kamij sealed her third Roland Garros trophy.

 

2018 ECA European Para Canoe Championships

Paralympic and world champion Emma Wiggs led British success as she took gold in both KL2 and VL2 events.

 

World Para Swimming World Series

The circuit concluded with the last two stages held in Sheffield, Great Britain, and Berlin, Germany. In the end, Brazilian superstar Daniel Dias successfully defended the men’s title while British teenager Louise Fiddes was the surprise winner of the women’s competition.

 

Para Rowing World Cup

World-leading times were smashed in Linz-Ottensheim, Austria, as Ukraine’s Paralympic champion Roman Polianskyi and Norway's world champion Birgit Skarstein both lowered their personal bests.

 

World Para Athletics Grand Prix

The circuit continued with three more stages. Brazilian Petrucio Ferreira shone in Paris, France, clocking 10.50 to win the men’s 100m T47.

USA’s Daniel Romanchuk delivered the standout performance on home soil in Arizona as he broke the world record in the men’s 800m T54.

There was a world record-breaking performance in Tunisia as well, from Morroco’s Fouzia El Kassioui in the men’s discus F32.

 

Para Triathlon World Cup

Germany’s Martin Schulz continued his comeback from injury by extending his winning streak in Besancon, France.

 

BNP Paribas Open de France and Queen’s

Gustavo Fernandez, Diede de Groot and Koji Sugeno emerged triumphant in the men’s, women’s and quad singles competitions in Paris. At the same time, Sweden’s Stefan Olsson won the inaugural Queen’s wheelchair title in London.

 

FZ Forza Irish Para Badminton International 2018

Indonesia’s Leani Ratri Oktila sealed a trio of gold medals to leave Dublin as the most successful player.

 

IWBF European Championships Division B

Russia overcame a slow start to capture the gold medal in Charleroi, Belgium, and achieved promotion for the Euros Division A, to be held next year.

 

Singapore Boccia Open

Thai players delivered standout performances in Singapore’s first international boccia event in 10 years.

 

Canada Cup

USA retained the title following a 56-53 victory over Japan. It was a big motivation boost for the North American team ahead of the 2018 World Championships in Sydney, Australia.

 

8th Integrative Athletics Sports Festival

Home fans saw records broken and stunning performance in Leverkusen, Germany, on 9 June, as they get ready to receive athletes from across the continent at August’s European Championships in Berlin.

 

Somma Lombardo Para equestrian competition

Sara Morganti delighted the home crowd after sweeping her events at Italy’s top Para equestrian competition held in Somma Lombardo between 14 and 15 June.

 

New York Mini 10K

US wheelchair athlete Susannah Scaroni took gold after clocking 22:48. It was the first time the event included an all-women’s professional wheelchair race.

 

*Editor's note: The International Paralympic Committee suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee on 7 August 2016 for its inability to fulfil its IPC membership responsibilities and obligations, in particular its obligation to comply with the IPC Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code (to which it is also a signatory). As a result of the suspension, Russian athletes cannot enter IPC sanctioned events or competitions, including the Paralympic Games.