Following on from a very successful 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janiero, the New Zealand Para athletics team will be competing in the 2017 Para Athletics World Championships in London, getting under way on Saturday morning New Zealand time.

The strong team of six athletes includes five of the six medallists from last year’s Paralympics and one newcomer to the sport.

While Liam Malone will not be competing in London, the team is a very strong one and expectations are high for success at the championships.

Heading the team will be 20 year old Rio Gold medallist Anna Grimaldi from Dunedin in her specialist long jump event, as well as the 100m and 200m. Grimaldi won gold in the Rio T47 long jump, leaping 5.62m, smashing her personal best and New Zealand record.