China
Swimmer Tao Zheng is a great medal hope in the S6 class, especially in the shorter-distance events. There are also high expectations for the Chinese Paralympians in the track and field events. Other than China I’m looking forward to seeing Brazil’s five-a-side team, who will do well as the host nation. American triathlete Melissa Stockwell will be a favourite for the new paratriathlon event and experienced Brazilian swimmer Daniel Dias will hope for another gold to add to his collection. The Wu
Finland
My country has a few athletes to be excited about. Leo-Pekka Tähti is the Usain Bolt of the Paralympics and I’m confident he’ll do amazingly well again in the category T54 sprint events. Amanda Kotaja as also a special talent in the wheelchair racing events. Liisa Lilja will be representing us in the paratriathlon and the whole of Finland hopes she does well. Marko
Great Britain
I’m looking forward to seeing Faye McClelland in the paratriathlon event. She is such an experienced athlete and I expect her to do well in the first ever Olympic paratriathlon in Rio. Philippa A
I hope British swimmer Ellie Simmonds can replicate her successes of the Beijing and London Games by winning the S6 event. I’m also looking forward to seeing the archery and boccia events. Annie
Having won the 100m gold medal in the 2016 European Championships, Toby Gold will make the wheelchair racing event great viewing. Heather
India
The whole country is behind every single competitor at the Paralympics. India have sent their largest ever contingent at a Paralympics to Rio and we wish them the very best. Karthikaqpt
Italy
While certainly not our only hope in Rio, world champion in speciality dressage Sara Morganti will take some stopping. Having dominated the Italian championships for some time, and also picking up gold is European and world events in the past, it would be fantastic to see her get a gold medal at the Paralympics. Sara was diagnosed with MS in her late teens and slowly became wheelchair bound, but she was aways riding and competing. This was never easy, not only for the obvious physical and logistical reasons, but because this is a very expensive sport and there hasn’t been much sponsorship until very recently. She is enormously popular in riding circles and has always been a tireless spokeswoman for disabled athletes. She has a really good chance of a medal. Marion Iacopucci
Malawi
Taonere Banda is the only competing Paralympian from Malawi. She was due to compete in London in 2012 but the team was forced to pull out of the competition at the last minute due to a lack of funding. She is a single mother and has fought to do what she loves her whole life. She’ll be competing in the T13 category for the 1,500m event, also hoping to enter the 800m. I’ll be rooting for her all the way. Tom
Singapore
Yip Pin Xiu is the current Women’s S2 50m backstroke and 100m backstroke world record holder and is gunning for gold again in Rio. The gold medal she won in 2008 in the Women’s S3 50m backstroke made her Singapore’s first ever Paralympic champion. With swimmer Joseph Schooling already winning gold at the Olympics, I have everything crossed for Yip Pin Xiu to win gold in the Paralympics and secure a golden double in the pool for Singapore. Richard
Sweden
The entire nation is so proud of Shahrzad Kiavash, who will be competing in the new paratriathlon event in Rio. After a trip to the gym in 2012, Shahrzad started to experience drowsiness and high fever. Having to be kept alive by respirator, the doctors stated that she was suffering from an unusual type of blood poisoning. To survive she had to have both her legs amputated. During rehab she met her future coach, and the coach motivated her to set up goals such as triathlon, something to strive against. Her blog tells the story of a remarkable journey from rehab to Rio. She has become a popular athlete these last couple of years, due to her athletic performances and her inspiring life story. We all wish her well. Joel Tran
