Five Para athletes have been shortlisted for the Allianz Athlete of the Month poll for December 2016, and the public are now invited to vote for their winner via www.paralympic.org.

The nominations are:

Arthur Bauchet, FRA, alpine skiing

On his World Cup debut, the 16-year-old posted the two fastest runs in the men’s giant slalom in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Steve Cash, USA, Para ice hockey

The goaltender was named player of the game in the USA's 5-2 victory over Canada for their third straight World Sled Hockey Challenge title.

Jiske Griffioen, NED, wheelchair tennis

After winning two Paralympic golds in Rio, the world No.1 went on to claim her third Masters title in the women's singles.

Oksana Masters, USA, Nordic skiing

Has a 100 per cent winning record after taking three wins in cross-country women's sitting at the World Cup in Vuokatti, Finland.

Thomas Schmidberger, GER, table tennis

Won the gold medal in the men’s class 3 singles and also in class 4-5 team events at the US Open.

The public has until 13:00 (CET) on Friday 13 January to vote for the athlete they want to be the Allianz Athlete of the Month for December 2016 via the www.paralympic.org homepage.

The nominations are compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and International Federations (IFs).

The 2016 winners so far are:

January – Abdullah Sultan Alaryani, United Arab Emirates, shooting

February – Andrey Smirnov, Russia, wheelchair curling

March – Stephen McGuire, Great Britain, boccia

April – Carlos Serrano, Colombia, swimming

May – Shelby Watson, Great Britain, athletics

June – Elena Krawzow, Germany, swimming

July – Richard Whitehead, Great Britain, athletics

August – Ekrem Gundogdu, Turkey, goalball

September (Best Male) – Siamand Rahman, Iran, powerlifting

September (Best Female) – Sareh Javanmardidodmani, Iran, shooting

September (Best Team) – Brazil, boccia BC3 team

October – Emanuele Lambertini, Italy, wheelchair fencing

November – Matias Nicolas Pino Lorca, Chile, table tennis