PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Two female wheelchair rugby players compete.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/1%20Wheelchair%20rugby%20women.jpg?itok=yQpf9Sga)
Loughborough to start research to increase female participation in wheelchair rugby
Loughborough University in Great Britain is set to conduct a research project to evaluate the current competition rule, with the first findings of the study to be published towards the end of the third quarter of 2023
![Seven female Para ice hockey players on ice in front of a goalie](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2022-11/Green%20Bay%202022.jpg?h=76114fb1&itok=cKBrDjRJ)
World Para Ice Hockey receives IPC International Women's Day Recognition award
Announcement follows landmark year in the development of the sport among female athletes, coaches, and officials with the first Women's World Challenge
![A woman in a wheelchair with a green Nigerian shirt](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/49515828223_82f90b2b81_c.jpg?itok=EKEov8xj)
Nigeria's Coach Pat receives IPC International Women's Day award
Patience Igbiti has been a key driver pushing women’s inclusion in the sport in Africa and internationally for over 30 years
![Female athletes in blue jersey are on the ice, while a female athlete in white jersey passes by.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/Para%20ice%20hockey%20women%27s%20world%20challenge.jpg?h=49bcd1ac&itok=ye6SgQGZ)
2023 IPC International Women’s Day Recognition awards winners revealed
Women from Nigeria, Malta, Malawi, and World Para Ice Hockey recognised for serving as positive role models
![A female coach stands on the snow, next to a male staff and a sign that reads "Morzine Avoriaz"](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/Saori%20Ishii%2C%20Japan%20Alpine%20skiing%20coach.jpg?h=e4c19a53&itok=ZrvPYI2c)
Japan’s Ishii embracing her role as pioneer for female coaches in Para alpine skiing
Saori Ishii led Japan’s medal haul in Para alpine skiing at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games as the team’s head coach. Since October 2022, she has served as the chairperson of the team, drafting mid- and long-term development strategies
![A female athlete in an Estonian T-shirt lifts two dumbbells in a gym as an older woman spots her from behind.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/Jelena%20Pipper%20Nelli%20Rjumina%20gym%20Estonia.jpg?h=50529676&itok=yKBSjmNL)
Mother-daughter Para powerlifting duo show strength of women to rise above challenges
Jelena Pipper and her mother Nelli Rjumina are the faces of Estonian Para powerlifting and the main forces driving the sport forward for women in the Baltic states
![A male athlete](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/GettyImages-1338347687.jpg?itok=5761YDh4)
The heat is on in Marrakech for the third GP of 2023
A 70-strong Chinese contingent aim to build on Dubai success in Morocco; France set eyes on ideal World Championships preparation
![A male wheelchair racer with the Mexican flag at an athletics track](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/GettyImages-1337597981.jpg?h=70f8a46e&itok=1ybOvepM)
Xalapa, Mexico to host Grand Prix in April
Competition is scheduled to take place from 27 to 29 next month replacing Monterrey, followed by the Jesolo GP in Italy from 12 to 14 May
![A group of about 15 athletes dressed in Italy's uniform march into the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/Italy%20at%20Beijing%202022.jpg?h=136f3067&itok=p5G675bs)
Three years until Milano Cortina: Italian athletes preparing for ‘biggest show ever’
Italy is famous for its food and culture, but during the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, the country will also shine thanks to its passion for Para sport, says Para ice hockey player Andrea Macri. We asked four Paralympians what they are looking forward to in three years and why you should also get excited
![A close-up of a male cross-country skier in sunglasses and competition bib, holding skis in one hand.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/Brian%20McKeever%20Canada%20Beijing%202022.jpg?h=d5d0b562&itok=K2WTFTPU)
Beijing 2022 one year on: Record-setting McKeever reflects on what matters most
The Canadian Para cross-country skier Brian McKeever retired after the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, having won 20 Paralympic medals in the men's vision impairment class