UK Athletics can announce the first athletes to represent the Great Britain and Northern Ireland squad for the World Para Athletics Championships in Delhi, India, between 26 September and 5 October.
The first round of selection features seven Paris Paralympic gold and silver medallists. The performance objectives associated with this selection are for athletes to medal at these championships and to support the athletes’ potential for the LA 2028 Paralympic Games. A secondary selection for the GB&NI team will take place in August.
The 16-time World Champion Hannah Cockcroft (Paul Mosely, Leeds) will look to continue to be a dominant force on the world stage as she goes in the T34 100m and 800m. She will be joined by seven-time Paralympic medallist, Kare Adenegan (Job King, Coventry), in the T34 100m and 800m.
Paris Paralympic champion Sabrina Fortune (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Deeside) has continued her successful form from last summer, breaking the F20 shot put world record on home soil in Birmingham at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships earlier this year.
After securing his sixth world title in 2024 in the men’s F63 shot put, Welshman Aled Davies (Cardiff) will be looking to add another World title in India.
The two-time Paralympic Champion and current world record holder in the F13 javelin, Dan Pembroke (John Trower, Windsor Slough Eton Hounslow), will be the one to beat as he goes to defend his World title.
At just 21 years of age, Scottish athlete Ben Sandilands (Steve Doig, Fife), the T20 1500m Paralympic Champion and current world record holder, will be looking to retain the world title he claimed on his international debut in Paris 2023.
The Paris Paralympic silver medallist, Marcus Perrineau Daley (Weir Archer Academy), has started the season strong with a personal best in the T52 100m in Nottwil and will be eager to secure a podium finish at these World Championships.
The full GB&NI team announcement will take place in August.
UK Athletics Head of the Paralympic Performance, Katie Jones, commented;
“As we enter the first year of the LA 2028 Paralympic cycle, this selection marks a key milestone for our athletes competing at the World Para Athletics Championships in India. The seven athletes chosen in this first round bring a wealth of experience, and I am confident they will deliver world-class performances.
“With just over three months until the Championships begin, we will be supporting and engaging with all these athletes in their preparations, ensuring they are best equipped to compete at the highest level. Congratulations to all selected—this is just the beginning of an exciting journey to showcase the very best of British para athletics on the global stage.”
Great Britain & Northern Ireland team selection for the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India, between 26 September and 5 October;
Women
Kare Adenegan (Job King, Coventry) – T34 100m and 800m
Hannah Cockcroft (Paul Mosely, Leeds) – T34 100m and 800m
Sabrina Fortune (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Deeside) – F20 Shot Put
Men
Aled Davies (Cardiff) – F63 Shot Put
Marcus Perrineau Daley (Weir Archer Academy) – T52 100m
Dan Pembroke (John Trower, Windsor Slough Eton Hounslow) – F13 Javelin
Ben Sandilands (Steve Doig, Fife) – T20 1500m