PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
Three breakthrough swimmers of 2015
Many new faces emerged in the year before the next Paralympic Games.
![Thomas Jacobsen of Norway competes at the 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships A-Pool in Buffalo, USA.](/sites/default/files/images/150430052607841_web%2B20150429%2BNOR%2Bv%2BJPN_0070.jpg)
Three questions for Thomas Jacobsen
Ahead of the new season, one of Norway’s favourite ice sledge hockey players gives an insight into his thinking off the ice.
![Two judokas competing at the European judo championships](/sites/default/files/images/151128115529303_IBSA%2BJudo%2BEuros%2BMesem%2BTasbag.jpg)
Opening day full of surprises at judo Euros
Unexpected results make for an exciting first day of competition in Odivelas, Portugal.
![IPC Top 50 moments 2015 - No. 34](/sites/default/files/images/151127105228738_34%2Blandscape.jpg)
No. 34 Great Britain, USA make it tight at World Rowing Championships
The USA nearly stun defending world champion Great Britain in the LTA mixed coxed four.
![Canada's ice sledge hockey team](/sites/default/files/images/140118221123353_1452144_660929823947605_647404895_n_0.jpg)
Get your tickets for the World Sledge Hockey Challenge
Ticket packages for all preliminary, semi-finals and medal games at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in Bridgewater, Canada, are available from CAD 50.
![Paralympians show-off their certificates after being trained to be leaders in the Paralympic Movement](/sites/default/files/images/151127142916805_Proud%2BParalympian%2BNatal.jpg)
#ProudParalympians to spread word about Paralympic Movement
Nine Paralympians will become leaders of the Movement in their own countries after training in Natal, Brazil.
![Sam Ingram competing](/sites/default/files/images/120118163244366_Sam_Ingram_Credit%2BGetty.jpg)
Three to watch at European Judo Championship 2015
Ukraine’s Khorava and Cherniak could bring double gold back to their country.
![IPC logo](/sites/default/files/images/150505091450404_IPC_00_Symbol_CMYK_210.jpg)
Russia’s Konstantin Sosunov passes away
Wheelchair dance sport loses Sosunov, a former world and European champion.
![Man in sail boat](/sites/default/files/images/151127171608029_Matt%2BBugg%2BBernie%2BKaaks.jpg)
Australia’s Bugg seeks podium on home waters
After three World Championships appearances, Bugg hopes to finally hit the podium.
Huseynov grabs last chance world record
China's world champion Yujiao Tan was also in record-breaking form at the 2015 IPC Powerlifting European Open Championships in Eger, Hungary on Friday (27 November).
![IPC Top 50 moments 2015 - No. 35 Doha 2015 triumphs on digital platforms](/sites/default/files/images/151126125029565_35%2Blandscape.jpg)
No. 35 Doha 2015 triumphs on digital platforms
With a creative content strategy, the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar, surpassed all expectations with a reach of more than 26 million.
![Toyota President Akio Toyoda and International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven at the official signing ceremony for the Worldwide Paralympic Partnership in November 2015.](/sites/default/files/images/151126072900256_20151126_01_17.jpg)
IPC announces Toyota as Worldwide Paralympic Partner
The nine year partnership is the first in the Paralympic Movement’s history to benefit the IPC, all NPCs and future editions of the Paralympic Games under one agreement.
![Kimberly Joines of Canada competes in the Women's Giant Slalom Sitting at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.](/sites/default/files/images/151126104753029_kimberly.jpg)
Skier Joines resets, looks to future goals
Canada’s Kimberley Joines looks long-term and will join Alpine Canada’s National Ski Day in January to help promote the sport.
![IPC Top 50 moments 2015 - No. 36 Valera, Rosenmeier battle for European crown](/sites/default/files/images/151126102715791_36%2Blandscape.jpg)
No. 36 Valera, Rosenmeier battle for European crown
Defending world champion Alvaro Valera and defending European champion Peter Rosenmeier go into five sets for the regional title.
![Fifty National Technical Officials were trained in IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing rules and regulations.](/sites/default/files/images/151126114150971_nordic%2Bkorea.jpg)
South Korean officials train in cross-country, biathlon
Fifty National Technical Officials were trained in IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing rules and regulations as part of preparations for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
![Luis Herazo](/sites/default/files/images/151126112301248_luis%2Bherazo2.jpg)
Colombian Herazo, plucked from obscurity, tells his story
A video of Luis Herazo who has benefitted from the partnership between the Agitos Foundation, Rio 2016 and Brazilian Paralympic Committee has been released.
![A Chinese powerlifter celebrates winning gold in powerlifting at her home Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/151126165003030_Xiao.jpg)
Xiao claims China’s second powerlifting world record
Ukrainian Mariana Shevchuk also won an incredible four medals in juniors and seniors at IPC Powerlifting European Open in Eger, Hungary.
![Thomas Clarion of France competes in the 4 x 2.5km Open Relay cross-country at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.](/sites/default/files/images/151125085407119_thomas_0.jpg)
Clarion resets with new guide for 2015-16
The Frenchman won his first World Championships medal in 2015 and will use the coming season to build a relationship with Antoine Bollet.
![Kendall Gretsch](/sites/default/files/images/151125093138235_jms_8625.jpg)
World champion Gretsch finds balance
The USA’s two-time PT1 champion manages being a full-time student and athlete.
![Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesel Tesch at the 2014 World Cup in Melbourne, Australia.](/sites/default/files/images/151125092640555_Fitzgibbon%2Band%2BTesch%2Bat%2Bthe%2B2014%2BWorld%2BCup%2BMelbourne_0.jpg)
Australians to spearhead SKUD18 at World Championships
Defending Paralympic champions Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesel Tesch are the favourites on home waters.