by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Gold medallist at the 2013 Asian Youth Para Games in Kuala Lumpur but since that time no great success on the global stage and in recent months absent from the international scene, the 24 year old was very much the star of the Beijing tournament.

No current world ranking, he won Men’s Singles Class 5 accounting for Cao Ningning, the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games gold medallist in the final prior to partnering his colleague to success in Men’s Team Class 5.

Notably in both the initial group stage and later in the final, the Chinese duo accounted for the top seeded Korean outfit comprising Kim Kiyoung, Kim Kyungyoung and Park Jaeheon.

In addition to Zhan Dashun, the nominations for August 2017 include South Africa’s Ntando Mahlangu (athletics), Australia’s Curtis McGrath (canoeing), Korea’s Park U Cheol (wheelchair rugby) and Great Britain’s Emma Wiggs (canoeing).
Each month the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) issues a short list of athletes.

Nominations are formed by submissions by National Paralympic Committees and International Federations.

The closing date for voting is Tuesday 12th September.

IPC website: Cast your vote