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Four-time Paralympian’s Fearnley & Ballard lead NSWIS 11 for Rio tilt

Four-time Paralympian and 2016 Paralympic co-captain Kurt Fearnley (NSWIS) will be among the leaders of Australia’s athletic contingent for this year’s Paralympic Games in Rio, beginning in September.

The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) announced the largest section of the 2016 Paralympic Team with 44 athletes set to board the plane to South America. All up there are 11 NSWIS supported athletes named to represent Australia.

Included alongside Fearnley is fellow four times Paralympian and world champion Angie Ballard as well as her training partner Madison de Rozario, who is also a world champion.

A world record holder in the 400m T53 wheelchair racing event, Ballard sees Rio as a chance to reach new heights as an athlete. It will also be an opportunity for her to seek out her first Paralympic gold after claiming a number of silver and bronze medals in her previous four Games.

“We’re so close now, in 36 days we’ll be getting ready to compete. I haven’t had this pressure ahead of previous Games, but now I am among the top athletes competing in my class. I’m excited to see how it goes when I compete at the biggest event I can go to, and hopefully I’ll do really well,” Ballard said.

Adding to Ballard’s arsenal is coach Louise Sauvage, herself a nine-time Paralympic champion, who has helped Ballard overhaul her training program on the road to Rio.

“Since London I have realized my best could be the best in the world. I’m still finding the right combination of training, competition and preparation, and I still think there is more around the corner in terms of getting faster and getting better at what I do,” she said.

“I now know that my best is the best in the world, so I’m focusing on the processes that get me there. I will focus on executing my best possible time and make sure I am doing everything I can do pull off a good race. Being a Paralympian is about the details and the process.”

Athletics has been a part of the Paralympic Games since the first event in 1960 with events open to all impairment groups eligible for Paralympic sport.

The Rio Paralympic Games begin on 7 September and conclude on 18 September.

NSWIS athletes selected for athletics at the Paralympic Games

Angie Ballard – Camperdown, NSW

Madison de Rozario – Campsie, NSW

Rosemary Little – West Pennant Hills, NSW

Christie Dawes – Merewether, NSW

Jodi Elkington-Jones – Belconnen, ACT

Erin Cleaver – Charlestown, NSW

Taylor Doyle – Oakville, NSW

Sarah Walsh – Engadine, NSW

Guy Henly – Girraween, NSW

James Turner – Diamond Beach, NSW