PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![A woman competing in a shooting range with a rifle](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-06/51246599174_275d1a4efb_k.jpg?h=bfb0cb5e&itok=GNU1VQtj)
For Ukrainian sharpshooter Shchetnik, it’s about character, not competition
Competing at her first Paralympic Games, the World and European champion aims to set personal bests at Tokyo
![Murlikant Petkar](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-08/Murlikant6.jpg?h=0368a31c&itok=Jwo_Wf-6)
Murlikant Petkar – The first one to rise amongst a billion
The Indian won gold in 50m freestyle swimming at Heidelberg 1972 Paralympic Games and also set a World record clocking 37.33 seconds in the course of the event
![A female Para cross-country skier following her male guide during a competition](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-08/51002785407_4b7ec54657_c.jpg?itok=YfMGOO5T)
Season look back: Top six moments
Undefeated streaks, a national milestone and a career switch make for an exciting season in biathlon and cross-country skiing
![Woman poses next to her tricycle](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-06/carole-cooke-cycling.jpg?h=a9edb586&itok=5BgYWl4i)
Carol Cooke turns 60 today, remains indomitable
With her message of hope, the Aussie veteran is going for more than Paralympic gold at Tokyo 2020
![The Australian Paralympic team led by Louise Sauvage during the opening ceremony of Athens 2004 Paralympic Games](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-08/Louise%20Sauvage%204.jpg?h=07340a4b&itok=Ik3G8Jn6)
Aussie legend Louise Sauvage relives past with eye on future
The nine-time Paralympic gold medallist looks back on a career of glory and ahead to helping her team grab more medals as a coach
![Arz Zahreddine](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-08/Arz%20Zahreddine%202_0.jpg?h=206c83fe&itok=QqWFGEcn)
Lebanon makes Paralympic comeback with Arz Zahreddine
'I feel very confident about my participation at Tokyo and hopefully my hard work and dedication will be awarded with a new personal best record and a medal'
Skiiing star Shoko Ota aims for taekwondo glory
The Japanese biathlete and cross country skier will has taken up taekwondo and has risen rapidly through the ranks
![Fatimah Suwaed during a training session ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-08/Fatimah%20SUWAED%20%28002%29.jpg?h=dabadb3c&itok=oNLewBlO)
Iraq aim to repeat Rio 2016 performances
At 14 years, Fatimah Suwaed will make history as the youngest ever athlete from the country to compete at the Paralympic Games in women’s 100m and 200m T35 events
![File photo of Harry Mosby with his medal from Toronto Games.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-08/Harry%20Mosby.jpg?h=76d7308d&itok=r7hpncx9)
The Torres Strait taxi driver who made Paralympic history
Harry Mosby - The Toronto 1976 Paralympic Games silver medallist, a modest man, who kept his achievements very quiet, even from his family.
![Upper body of man with ramp](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/images/170105143230331_Greg%2BPolychronidis_Boccia_GettyImages-603219164.jpg?itok=wcK4izKF)
Boccia star Grigorios Polychronidis targets first individual gold
‘We have a secondary role, even more important than Olympians, to show to the community and especially the children of tomorrow that the person with disability is different but he is equal’