PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Spanish players celebrate a goal.](/sites/default/files/images/150827112012260_spanish%2Bplayers%2Bcelebrate%2Ba%2Bgoal.jpg)
Spain head to semis at blind football European Champs
Javier Munoz scored Spain’s ticket to the semi-finals with a 1-0 win over France, while Russia also secured their spot.
![Montage with two photos, one showing a woman playing wheelchair tennis, one a woman in a wheelchair in a dress, posing with a man](/sites/default/files/images/150826140920555_Esther%2BVergeer%2Btbt.jpg)
#ThrowbackThursday: Esther Vergeer
Already firmly etched in the wheelchair tennis record books, the Dutch sensation is now making a business career for herself.
![Rowing was introduced for the first time at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150827125002927_rowing.jpg)
World Para-Rowing Championships see record entries
The number of entries in the boat classes have progressively grown since the sport was added to the Paralympic programme.
![Man and woman congradulate each other.](/sites/default/files/images/150827170708406_WCP15_B15_6059_0.jpg)
Donaueschingen 2015: China, Turkey advance
China will play Great Britain for gold in the compound open mixed event, while Turkey will face the US for gold in the men’s equivalent.
![Two men playing football](/sites/default/files/images/150827172809106_1440688973892.jpg)
Football 7 first sport to complete Rio 2016 qualification
Argentina won the final place at next year’s Paralympics, joining Brazil, the USA, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Russia and Ukraine.
![Yao Yongquan and Cai Changgu at Beijing](/sites/default/files/images/120117092815930_82810738_10.jpg)
IBSA Goalball extends search for 2016-18 hosts
The International Federation for the sport is seeking only letter of intent at this time.
![Three archers on the field of play](/sites/default/files/images/150826170037718_world%2Barchery%2Bchamps.jpg)
Donaueschingen 2015: Russian recurve open team sets WR
Three Russians finished in the top six of the qualifying round and combined to set a new world record by 92 points.
![Uppor body of a man in orange shirt](/sites/default/files/images/140710103500208_120907_204531_mh_8924.jpg)
#WorkoutWednesday: Kenny van Weeghel
The Dutch wheelchair racer gives an insight into his training regime.
![Sergey Malyshev of Russia, wearing glasses, a visor and ear protection shoots his Mixed P3-25m Pistol at an indoor range at The Royal Artillery Barracks](/sites/default/files/images/121114125237775_151193671_0.jpg)
Malyshev launches bid for Paralympic gold
The Russian pistol shooter is more determined than ever to end his silver streak at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
![Logo Paralympics New Zealand](/sites/default/files/images/141007104952155_NZ_Paralympics_Corporate.jpg)
Paralympics New Zealand, ACC announce partnership
As their first official activity as partners, PNZ, ACC will launch an event to mark ‘1 Year to Go to Rio 2016.’