Vote now for the Allianz Best Female of the Month – September 2016

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has revealed the shortlist for the Best Female Athlete of September based on performances at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and the public can now vote for the winner on www.Paralympic.org.

In lieu of the IPC Athlete of the Month award for September, the honour is being separated into three different categories – Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete and Best Team – based on results at Rio 2016.

Siamand Rahman won the Best Male honour. Now a one-week voting period will be dedicated to decide the Best Female Athlete of September.

Sareh Javanmardidodmani, Iran, shooting

Javanmardidomani made history by becoming Iran's first ever female gold medallist in Paralympic shooting, winning P2 (women's 10m air pistol SH1). The 31-year-old followed that up with a second gold in P4 (mixed 50m pistol SH1).

Grace Norman, USA, triathlon

The 18-year-old upset Great Britain’s favourite Lauren Steadman – who had been undefeated throughout much of the last two seasons – to win the women’s PT4 category in the sport’s Paralympic debut.

Josephine Orji, Nigeria, powerlifting

The world’s strongest female Paralympian came to the fore to smash the world record for the women’s heavyweights. Nigerian world champion Josephine Orji, previously known as Precious, added 7kg onto her own best from 2015, lifting 160kg in the fourth round.

Sophie Pascoe, New Zealand, swimming

Pascoe returned to some of her best form at Rio 2016, leaving the Olympic Aquatics Stadium with three golds and two silver medals from the women’s S10 events. That included a world record in the 200m individual medley SM10 and a Paralympic record in the final of the women’s 100m butterfly.

Beatrice Vio, Italy, wheelchair fencing

The 19-year-old was the overwhelming favourite for gold and she did not disappoint on her Paralympic debut, as she won the women’s individual foil category B.

Li Zhang, China, swimming

The 18-year-old left Rio 2016 as the most decorated Chinese female athlete, swimming four golds: 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 50m freestyle S5, and 4x50m freestyle relay.

The public has until 12:00 (CEST) on Friday (21 October) to vote for the athlete they want to be the Allianz Female Athlete of the Month for September 2016 via the www.paralympic.org homepage.

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

The 2016 Allianz Athlete of the Month 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