Several British athletes, predominantly a number on the Paralympic Futures Academy, will compete at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Grosseto, Italy between 7-9 June.

For many, this will be their first international competition with a view to developing through the Paralympic Pathway. While for others, this competition will be a crucial part of their preparations in world championship year.

Double European champion Thomas Young (Joe McDonnell; Charnwood) competes in the T38 100m and 200m and will be looking to continue his excellent start to the 2019 outdoor season, already bagging a PB over 100m – 11.25 – and running just 0.02 seconds off his lifetime best over 200m.

European silver medallists Ali Smith (Guildford & Goldalming) and Ross Paterson (John Kinder; Red Star) are back in action, Smith taking on the women’s T38 100m and 400m, while Paterson goes in the men’s T38 100m, 200m and 400m.

Smith lowered her 200m best to 28.23 in Bedford last month, while meets in Livingston and Grangemouth have already seen Paterson set two PBs over 200m and 400m.

British Athletics Futures Academy athletes will be competing across the disciplines, from John Bridge (Matthew Clowes; Cardiff) in the T46/47 400m, Bethan Griffiths (Carolyn Franks; Cheltenham) in the F32 club throw, Hannah Taunton (Charlotte Fisher; Taunton) in the T20 800m and 1500m, and several more.

The British Athletics Paralympic Futures Academy was established to support athletes graduating from the Paralympic Development Academy and prepare them for potential selection into the World Class Podium, Podium Potential programmes and ultimately representation in British teams at major championships.

Away from those on the Futures programme, following an unofficial world record throw of 14.53m in the F41 shot put in Leiria last month, Kyron Duke (Anthony Hughes; DSW Para Academy) will be looking to throw over 14 metres once again at the World Para Athletics event.

World Class Programme athletes Zac Shaw (Leon Baptiste; Cleethorpes) and Martina Barber (Paddy O’Shea; Stevenage & Herts) also compete in the T12 100m and 200m, and the T20 long jump, respectively.

See the entry lists here.