New Zealand at the 2016 Summer Paralympics

New Zealand competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 to 18 September 2016. It was the nation's thirteenth appearance at the Summer Paralympics, having made its debut in 1968 and appeared in every edition since.

New Zealand at the
2016 Summer Paralympics
IPC codeNZL
NPCParalympics New Zealand
Websiteparalympics.org.nz
in Rio de Janeiro
Competitors31 in 6 sports
Flag bearers Holly Robinson (opening)[1]
Liam Malone (closing)[2]
Medals
Ranked 13th
Gold
9
Silver
5
Bronze
7
Total
21
Summer Paralympics appearances (overview)

The 31-member delegation collected 21 medals at the Games: nine gold, five silver and seven bronze. This was the second-largest number of medals won by New Zealand behind the 1984 Games, while the number of gold medals achieved equalling the record of nine achieved at the 1996 Games. The medals won exceeded High Performance Sport New Zealand's target of 18 medals overall, but fell short of the second target of 12 gold medals.[3] Swimming and athletics dominated the medal tally with ten and nine medals respectively; the remaining two medals were both achieved in cycling.

Swimmer Sophie Pascoe achieved three gold medals and two silver medals, taking her total medal haul to nine golds and six silvers and overtaking Eve Rimmer to become New Zealand's most decorated Paralympian.[4] Her silver medal in the 50 m freestyle S10 is New Zealand's 200th overall Paralympic medal.[5] Fellow swimmers Mary Fisher, Nikita Howarth and Cameron Leslie won single gold medals, with Leslie completing a hat-trick with his third consecutive gold medal in the 150 m individual medley SM4. Sprinter Liam Malone won gold medals in the 200 m and 400 m T44 events, while fellow athlete Anna Grimaldi won the gold medal in the long jump T47.

Medallists

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Unless otherwise stated, all dates and times are in Brasília time (UTC−3), fifteen hours behind New Zealand Standard Time (UTC+12).

Delegation

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The New Zealand team and officials with Governor General Jerry Mateparae at the official presentation of the team, 19 July 2016.

Paralympics New Zealand confirmed a team of 29 athletes, 17 male and 14 female, and two cycling pilots (both female) to compete in six sports.[6] Ten competitors had attended previous Paralympic games, with the remaining 21 made their Paralympics debut. Returning gold medallists included swimmers Mary Fisher, Cameron Leslie and Sophie Pascoe, sports shooter Michael Johnson, and tandem cycling pilot Laura Thompson. Javelin thrower Holly Robinson, ranked number one in the world entering the games, was selected as the country's flagbearer for the opening ceremony.[1][7]

The median age of the New Zealand delegation was 25 years. Fifteen-year-old swimmer Tupou Neiufi was New Zealand's youngest competitor, while 58-year-old sailor Chris Sharp was the oldest competitor.[8]

Sport Men Women Total
Athletics 4 4 8
Canoeing 1 0 1
Cycling 3 3 (+2) 6 (+2)
Sailing 3 0 3
Shooting 3 0 3
Swimming 3 5 8
Total 17 12 (+2) 29 (+2)

Support staff and officials

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Retired wheelchair racer Ben Lucas was appointed New Zealand's chef de mission for the 2016 Paralympic Games. Lucas had previously represented New Zealand as an athlete at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, and the 1996 and 2000 Summer Paralympics.[9]

The New Zealand delegation also included Doping Control Officer Daniel Mulholland from Upper Hutt. He was the only representative from Drug Free Sport NZ in Rio.[10]

Funding

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High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) invested $12.7 million in Paralympic sports and athletes over the 2013–16 funding cycle, of which $7.5 million was core funding to national sports organisations and Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) while the remaining $5.2 million was mainly in the form of grants and tertiary scholarships to individual athletes. These totals include funding for non-Paralympic events such as world championships as well as the 2014 Winter Paralympics.[11][12]

Media coverage

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Attitude Pictures and Television New Zealand hold the New Zealand coverage rights for the 2016 Paralympics. Live and delayed coverage screened on TVNZ's Duke channel, with a daily highlights show on TV One and on-demand highlights through TVNZ on Demand and Attitude Live.[13]

Athletics

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New Zealand achieved two silver medals at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships, earning the nation two qualification slots at the Rio Paralympics.[14]

Paralympics New Zealand confirmed a team of six track and field athletes on 23 May 2016,[15] with an additional two athletes named on 7 July 2016.[16]

Key
  • Note–Ranks given for preliminary rounds are within the athlete's heat only.
  • Q = Qualified for the next round
  • q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser
  • DSQ = Disqualified
  • PR = Paralympic record
  • WR = World record
  • N/A = Round not applicable for the event

Track

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Athlete Event Heat Final
Result Rank Result Rank
Anna Grimaldi Women's 100 m T47 12.88 4 q 12.96 4
Women's 200 m T47 DQ[a] did not advance
Liam Malone Men's 100 m T44 10.90 1 Q 11.02  
Men's 200 m T44 21.33 1 Q 21.06 PR  
4Men's 00 m T44 48.34 2 Q 46.20 PR  
William Stedman Men's 400 m T36 55.69  
Men's 800 m T36 2:11.98  
Jacob Phillips Men's 100 m T35 14.27 4 q 14.14 8
Men's 200 m T35 28.78 5 q 29.10 8
  1. ^ Finished third in heat, but was disqualified for a lane infringement[17]

Field

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Athlete Event Final
Distance Position
Caitlin Dore Women's javelin throw F37 20.87 7
Anna Grimaldi Women's long jump T47 5.62  
Jess Hamill Women's shot put F34 7.54  
Rory McSweeney Men's javelin throw F44 54.99  
Holly Robinson Women's javelin throw F46 41.22  
William Stedman Men's long jump T36 5.35 5

Canoeing

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New Zealand was awarded a slot in the para-canoe competitionas a result of the IPC reallocating slots from the banned Russian delegation.[6]

Athlete Event Heats Semifinals Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Scott Martlew Men's 200 m KL3 46.024 4 SF 44.284 4 FA 43.921 8

Cycling

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New Zealand cyclists riding outside the Paralympic venues before the Rio Games.

With one pathway for qualification being one highest ranked NPCs on the UCI Para-Cycling male and female Nations Ranking Lists on 31 December 2014, New Zealand qualified for the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, assuming they continued to meet all other eligibility requirements.[18][19] Paralympics New Zealand confirmed seven cyclists, including two sighted pilots, on 9 May 2016. The team includes sighted pilot Laura Thompson, who won three medals with Phillipa Gray in 2012, and 2008 athletics silver medallist turned cyclist Kate Horan.[20] An eighth cyclist, Fraser Sharp, was added to the team on 30 August 2016 as a result of the IPC reallocating slots from the banned Russian delegation.[6]

Men
Road
Athlete Event Final
Result Rank
Stephen Hills Road race T1/2 54:23 8
Time trial T1/2 26:23.64 8
Fraser Sharp Road race C1/2/3 1:51:48 11
Time trial C3 42:20.07 8
Track
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Result Rank Result Rank
Byron Raubenheimer 1000 m time trial C4/5 1:08.819 11
Individual pursuit C4 5:08.570 10 did not advance
Women
Road
Athlete Event Final
Result Rank
Amanda Cameron
Hannah Van Kampen (pilot)
Road race B 2:07:41 11
Time trial B 42:29.93 9
Emma Foy
Laura Thompson (pilot)
Road race B 1:59:33  
Time trial B 39:45.87 4
Kate Horan Time trial C4 33:32.37 8
Track
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Result Rank Result Rank
Amanda Cameron
Hannah Van Kampen (pilot)
1000 m time trial B 1:11.737 6
Individual pursuit B 3:33.298 4 q LAP 4
Emma Foy
Laura Thompson (pilot)
1000 m time trial B 1:10.187 4
Individual pursuit B 3:28.563 2 Q 3:31.569  
Kate Horan 500 m time trial C4/5 37.750 6
Individual pursuit C4 4:02.608 3 q 4:04.437 4

Sailing

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One pathway for qualifying for Rio involved having a boat have top seven finish at the 2015 Combined World Championships in a medal event where the country had nor already qualified through via the 2014 IFDS Sailing World Championships. New Zealand qualified for the 2016 Games under this criterion in the Sonar event with an eighth-place finish overall and the third country who had not qualified via the 2014 Championships.[21][22][23] They qualified a second boat in the SKUD 18 event with a twelfth-place finish overall and the fourth country who had not qualified via the 2014 Championships. The boat was crewed by Tim Dempsey and Gemma Fletcher.[21][23][24]

Paralympics New Zealand announce the first three sailors to compete in the Sonar keelboat on 3 March 2016.[25]

Athlete Event Race Points Rank
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 M* Tot Net
Richard Dodson
Andrew May
Chris Sharp
Three-person keelboat (Sonar) 8 1 6 4 6 4 8 8 11 4 2 62 51 4

Shooting

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The first opportunity to qualify for shooting at the Rio Games took place at the 2014 IPC Shooting World Championships in Suhl. Shooters earned spots for their NPC. New Zealand earned a qualifying spot at this competition in the R5 – 10m Air Rifle Prone Mixed SH2 event as a result of the performance of Michael Johnson.[26][27][28]

The third opportunity for direct qualification for shooters to the Rio Paralympics took place at the 2015 IPC IPC Shooting World Cup in Sydney, Australia. At this competition, Jason Eales earned a qualifying spot for their country in the R5- Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 event.[27][29]

The last direct qualifying event for Rio in shooting took place at the 2015 IPC Shooting World Cup in Fort Benning in November. Greg Reid earned a qualifying spot for their country at this competition in the R3 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 event.[27][30]

Paralympics New Zealand confirmed Michael Johnson, Jason Eales and Greg Reid to compete at the Games on 14 June 2016.[31]

Athlete Event Qualification Final
Score Rank Score Rank
Jason Eales Mixed R5 – 10 m rifle prone SH2 631.1 17 did not advance
Michael Johnson Mixed R4 – 10 m rifle standing SH2 633.4 4 Q 142.4 5
Mixed R5 – 10 m rifle prone SH2 625.9 31 did not advance
Greg Reid Mixed R3 – 10 m rifle prone SH1 632.5 7 Q 103.7 7
Mixed R6 – 50 m rifle prone SH1 596.1 37 did not advance

Swimming

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Swimming got a bump in funding through their NPC and the national swimming federation to help with New Zealand swimming readiness in Rio.[32]

The top two swimmers in each event at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow earned a qualification slot for their NPC at the 2016 Summer Paralympics. Five swimmers earned fourteen gold and silver medals for New Zealand, earning the nation five qualification slots.[33][34]

Paralympics New Zealand confirmed a team of seven swimmers on 5 May 2016. The team includes three 2012 gold medalists: Mary Fisher, Cameron Leslie and Sophie Pascoe.[35] On 13 May 2016, an eighth swimmer, Hamish McLean, was added to the team.[36] Tupou Neiufi was added to the team on 9 August 2016 after Bryall McPherson withdrew from participation due to illness and injury.[37][38]

Key
  • Note– Qualifiers for the finals (Q) of all events were decided on a time only basis, therefore ranks shown are overall ranks versus competitors in all heats. Also, ranks shown for those who did not advance are their final ranks.
  • PR = Paralympic record
  • WR = World record
  • N/A = Round not applicable for the event
Men
Athlete Event Heat Final
Time Rank Time Rank
Cameron Leslie 200 m freestyle S5 2:52.21 5 Q 2:52.10 8
50 m backstroke S5 41.30 7 Q 42.26 8
150 m individual medley SM4 2:29.36 1 Q 2:23.12 WR  
Hamish McLean 50 m freestyle S6 34.81 19 did not advance
100 m freestyle S6 1:15.30 17 did not advance
400 m freestyle S6 5:22.88 6 Q 5:30.63 7
200 m individual medley SM6 2:59.81 9 did not advance
Jesse Reynolds 400 m freestyle S9 4:35.04 10 did not advance
100 m backstroke S9 1:06.34 7 Q 1:05.57 7
100 m butterfly S9 1:04.50 9 Q 1:04.31 8
Women
Athlete Event Heat Final
Time Rank Time Rank
Rebecca Dubber 100 m freestyle S7 1:18.85 9 did not advance
400 m freestyle S7 5:31.53 4
100 m backstroke S7 1:23.62 2 Q 1:23.85  
Mary Fisher 50 m freestyle S11 31.35 3 Q 31.80 6
100 m freestyle S11 1:11.85 5 Q 1:09.47 4
400 m freestyle S11 5:33.64 4 Q 5:28.28 4
100 m backstroke S11 1:18.68 PR 1 Q 1:17.96 WR  
200 m individual medley SM11 3:00.69 5 Q 2:55.71 6
Nikita Howarth 100 m backstroke S7 1:24.69 3 Q 1:25.37 6
100 m breaststroke SB8 1:33.70 7 Q 1:31.11 7
50 m butterfly S7 35.40 1 Q 35.97  
200 m individual medley SM7 2:58.82 1 Q 2:57.29  
Tupou Neiufi 50 m freestyle S9 31.37 15 did not advance
100 m freestyle S9 1:11.21 22 did not advance
100 m backstroke S9 1:15.68 8 Q 1:14.94 7
Sophie Pascoe 50 m freestyle S10 27.95 2 Q 27.72  
100 m freestyle S10 1:01.54 2 Q 59.85  
100 m backstroke S10 1:07.23 1 Q 1:07.04  
100 m butterfly S10 1:04.37 PR 1 Q 1:02.65 PR  
200 m individual medley SM10 2:27.44 1 Q 2:24.90 WR  

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Holly Robinson named as NZ flag-bearer for Paralympics opening ceremony". Stuff.co.nz. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  2. ^ "Rio Paralympics: Liam Malone to carry flag for New Zealand at closing ceremony". Stuff.co.nz. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  3. ^ "NZ Paralympians target 12 golds in Rio". Radio New Zealand. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  4. ^ Smith, Tony (13 September 2016). "Sophie Pascoe keeps her promise, while taking Paralympics mainstream in NZ". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Rio Paralympics: New Zealand claim four medals in an hour on scintillating second day of competition". Stuff.co.nz. 10 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "Two more athletes added to NZ Paralympics team". Radio New Zealand. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Full list of flag bearers for opening ceremony of Rio 2016 Paralympic Games". Rio2016.com. International Paralympic Committee. 7 September 2016. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Rio 2016 Paralympic Games -- New Zealand Team Media Guide". Paralympics New Zealand. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  9. ^ Jones, Peter (26 September 2013). "Lucas to lead Rio mission". Marlborough Express. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  10. ^ "Hutt drug tester off to paralympics". Stuff. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  11. ^ "2016 Rio Games Media Pack" (PDF). High Performance Sport New Zealand. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  12. ^ "Vietnam looks towards 2016 Rio Paralympics". High Performance Sport New Zealand. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  13. ^ Listener, August 6, 2016 page 38
  14. ^ "Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Qualification Guide" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. May 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  15. ^ "Paralympics New Zealand name six track and field athletes for Rio". Stuff.co.nz. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Final members of Para-Athletics team named to represent New Zealand at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games". Paralympics New Zealand. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  17. ^ "Results -- Women's 200 metres T47 heat 2 -- Rio 2016 Paralympic Games" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  18. ^ "Cycling Qualification" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  19. ^ "Ranking — PARA — Cycling 2014". UCI. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  20. ^ "Seven cyclists confirmed for Paralympics". Radio New Zealand. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Sailing Qualification" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  22. ^ "Sonar". Royal Yacht Club Victoria. 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  23. ^ a b "Ten countries guarantee their place in the Rio 2016 Paralympic sailing competition". Rio 2016 Official Website. 26 August 2014. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  24. ^ "SKUD 18". Royal Yacht Club Victoria. 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  25. ^ "New Zealand selects 3-man sailing crew for Rio Paralympics". Stuff.co.nz. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  26. ^ "Shooters from 28 countries claim 63 spots at Rio 2016 Paralympic Games". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  27. ^ a b c "Shooting Qualification" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  28. ^ "Official Results Book" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  29. ^ "2015 IPC IPC Shooting World Cup in Sydney, Australia Official Results Book" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. 20 September 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  30. ^ "2015 IPC IPC Shooting World Cup in Fort Benning, United States Official Results Book" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  31. ^ "Johnson leads para-shooting team for Rio". Radio New Zealand. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  32. ^ "12/17/15 In Briefs: Paralympics NZ Funding, Steenbergen Awarded". Nhan Dan. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  33. ^ "Swimming QUALIFICATION" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  34. ^ "Daily Medallists". International Paralympic Committee. July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  35. ^ "Sophie Pascoe and Mary Fisher head powerful New Zealand swimming team for Paralympics". Stuff.co.nz. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  36. ^ Kuprienko, Dasha (13 May 2016). "Wanaka swimmer Hamish McLean, 16, gets selected for Paralympics". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  37. ^ "Teenage swimmer Tupou Neiufi called into New Zealand Paralympics team". Stuff.co.nz. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  38. ^ "Tupou Neiufi (15) to represent NZ at Paralympics". Matangi Tonga. 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2016-08-24.