PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![UAE's Paralympic star Mohamed Alhammadi will lead the local charge at the second Grand Prix of the season.](/sites/default/files/2023-02/UAE%27s%20Mohammed%20Hammadi%20in%20action%20at%20Dubai%202022%20GP..jpeg)
World’s best return to Dubai for second Grand Prix of the season
Paralympic stars including local champion Alhammadi to hog limelight in one of the strongest fields; China to return to international meet after two years
![A female athlete wearing Japan's red uniform sits on the Three Agitos monument.](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Asiya%20Mohammed%20Sururu%20in%20Tokyo%202020.jpg)
Kenya’s Para rower Sururu: “I wanted to fly” on water just like other athletes
Asiya Mohammed Sururu competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with “luck” and support from family and friends. Now, the double-amputee athlete is learning to walk
![an aerial view of the city of Brisbane](/sites/default/files/images/190503085123965_Brisbane-skyline.jpg)
New funding agreement between Australia and Queensland to boost Brisbane 2032 venues
The Gabba will receive AUD $2.7 billion worth of redevelopment funding from the Queensland Government while the Federal Government will provide AUD $2.5 billion for the development of the Brisbane Arena
![A man in a T-shirt and black suit poses with the backdrop of a slightly dilapidated house.](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Mathieu%20Lehanneur%20colour%20Paris%202024.jpg)
Designer Mathieu Lehanneur to create Paris 2024 torches and cauldrons
The design of the Paralympic and Olympic torches will be unveiled later this year, with the detailed routes of the torch relays to be revealed in spring 2023
![A female athlete prepares to serve a yellow ball used in blind and low vision tennis](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Blindlow%20vision%20players%20at%20Australian%20Open.jpg)
Blind tennis players striving for bright future after milestone Australian Open debut
Australian players Mick Leigh and Courtney Webeck took part in exhibition matches at the 2023 Australian Open with hopes of raising recognition of blind and low vision tennis
![A graphic announcing Catherine Debrunner as Laureus Award nominee](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Catherine%20Debrunner%20-%201920x1080_.jpg)
Catherine Debrunner up for Laureus Awards
Swiss continuous her country's long tradition of wheelchair racers shortlisted to the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability prize
![A graphic announcing Cameron Leslie as Laureus Award nominee](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Cameron%20Leslie%20-%201920x1080_.jpg)
Cameron Leslie nominated for Laureus Awards
New Zealand’s Para swimmer among six nominees for World Sportsperson with a Disability prize following his 2022 achievements
![A graphic image featuring photos of Esther Vergeer and Rick Draney next to the words "Class of 2023".](/sites/default/files/2023-02/ITF%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20Vergeer%20Draney%20grey.jpg)
Esther Vergeer and Rick Draney to be inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame
Vergeer and Draney were announced as the Class of 2023 in a special ceremony at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, marking the first time two wheelchair candidates were elected simultaneously
![A graphic announcing Declan Farmer as Laureus Award nominee](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Declan%20Farmer%20-%201920x1080__0.jpg)
Declan Farmer becomes first Para ice hockey player nominated to Laureus Awards
USA’s three-time Paralympic champion is among the six nominees for the prestigious Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award