Kaufman underlined her status as one of the medal favourites going into her home Paralympic Games in Sochi by dominating the women's cross-country and biathlon competitions, finishing on top of the podium on five occasions while also claiming a silver medal to leave her sitting on top of the Word Cup standings.

Another female skier makes the list for December in the form of IPC One to Watch Andrea Rothfuss of Germany.

The 24-year-old leads the IPC Alpine Skiing Europa Cup standings after impressing at the first two events of the season in Pitzal, Germany and Kuhtai, Austria where she picked up titles in the super-G and giant slalom competitions.

At the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAF) Wheelchair Fencing Grand Prix in Hong Kong, China were the dominant force and they were led by London 2012 gold medallist Jing Rong, who secured epee and foil titles in the category A competitions.

Chinese fencer Jing Rong has been shortlisted for the International Paralympic Committee for its December Athlete of the Month Award ©Getty Images

In Nairobi. captain Mohamed Mokrane led his Algerian team to a comprehensive victory in the final of the sixth International Blind Sports Federation (IBAS) Goalball African Championships.

Algeria claimed the African crown thanks to an impressive display form their skipper who scored nine goals in the decider against Egypt helping his side to a 12-2 victory.

The final nominations for December's award are husband and wife duo Nadiia and Ivan Sivak of the Ukraine.

The pair showed their class at the IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport World Championships in Tokyo by winning world titles in the duo Latin class one and duo standard class two.

The Athlete of the Month nominations are compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and International Federations.

The public now has until 12:00 (CEST) on January 17 to choose their favourite athlete and votes can be cast by clicking here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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