Italian sprinter Martina Caironi is one of five nominees for IPC Athlete of the Month ©Getty Images

Italian T42 sprinter Martina Caironi is among the nominees for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Allianz Athlete of the Month following a stunning performance at the recent IPC Athletics Grand Prix meeting in Nottwil, Switzerland.

The Paralympic and world champion smashed both the 100 metres and 200m world records at the event by posting times of 15.15sec  and 32.32 respectively.

Her impressive display during the month of May was then capped off with another world record, this time in the long jump at a meeting in Barcelona, Spain.

Fellow sprinter Marlou van Rhijn of The Netherlands features on the list of nominations and she was another athlete in commanding form in Nottwil.

The London 2012 champion broke the 100m and 200m T43 world records at the Grand Prix, bettering the previous 200m mark by 0.33 seconds.

Compatriot Jetze Plat maintains the strong Dutch influence on the list after he beat four-time world champion Billy Chaffey by about seven minutes at the World Paratriathlon event in Madrid.

Paralympic and world champion Marlou van Rhijn of The Netherlands has also been nominated following a record-breaking performance in Nottwil
Paralympic and world champion Marlou van Rhijn of The Netherlands has also been nominated following a record-breaking performance in Nottwil ©Getty Images

American ice sledge hockey star Josh Pauls, integral to his side’s world title winning success at the 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships A-Pool on home ice at Buffalo, has also been nominated.

Pauls bagged four goals, one of which came in the final, and two assists during the tournament as his team beat arch-rivals Canada 3-0 to take gold, continuing the American dominance of the rapidly-emerging sport following their triumph at Sochi 2014. 

The list of five nominees is rounded off by one of wheelchair tennis’ top names, Australian Dylan Alcott.

The 24-year-old, who has also competed in wheelchair basketball, has been put forward for the award by virtue of a superb performance at the Japan Open Super Series.

He beat American world number one David Wagner in the quad singles final, before he went on to win the quad doubles title with South African Lucas Sithole.

The public can vote for their preferred winner on the IPC website here.

Voting is due to close on Monday (June 8).



Related stories
May 2015: British boccia star claims IPC Athlete of the Month accolade
May 2015: Marathon world champion McFadden among contenders for IPC Athlete of the Month
April 2015: Ukrainian table tennis star scoops IPC Athlete of the Month prize
April 2015: Alpine skiing superstar leads IPC Athlete of the Month nominations
March 2015: Snowboarder Vos named February International Paralympic Committee Athlete of the Month