Kiwi athlete William Stedman will shoot for the Paris Paralympics podium overnight, when he contests the long jump final at Stade de France.
At 24, Stedman is already a highly decorated international performer, as the reigning world champion over 400 metres.
In his third Paralympics, he is also a medal contender in the T36 long jump, where he won silver at Tokyo 2020 and finished runner-up at the world championships earlier this year with a personal best 5.85m, a distance that ranks him fourth in the Paris field.
Favourite is Russian-born defending champion Evgenii Torsunov, who edged Stedman by four centimetres at Kobe in May for his third world crown.
The sprinter was under her previous Games record in the final. (Source: TVNZ)
The Kiwi has overcome ataxia, a neurological disorder that hampers muscle control, coordination, speech and swallowing. He is also entered for the 400m and 100m later in the Paris athletics programme.
The only other NZ athlete in action today is table tennis player Matthew Britz, who makes his Paralympics debut against Thai Chalermpong Punpoo in the MS7 singles round of 16.
Paralympians in action — Monday, September 2
9.30pm
Table tennis: Matthew Britz v Chalermpong Punpoo (Thailand) in men's MS7 singles round of 16 at South Paris Arena
Tuesday, September 3
5.15am
Athletics: William Stedman in men's T36 long jump final at Stade de France
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