The IPC usually hands out just one award each month, but due to the Paralympics being staged in Rio in September, has opted to hand out male, female and team prizes this time around.

Iranian powerlifter Siamand Rahman has already been crowned as the winner of the men's prize, with his compatriot Sareh Javanmardidomani, a shooter, named as the women's recipient.

Two line-ups from hosts Brazil are among the team nominees, including the men's five-a-side football team who won a fourth consecutive Paralympic gold medal in the partially sighted competition. 

They beat Iran 1-0 in the gold medal match after being led by team captain Ricardinho, who scored the winning goal in the final.

The other Brazilian nominees are the BC3 boccia line-up of Evelyn de Oliveira, Antonio Leme and Evani Soares da Silva, who beat the resounding favourites and world number one side South Korea to gold.

Brazil had lost to the Koreans in the group stage but battled back when it mattered to win the final 5-2.

Also shortlisted are the Chinese women's 4x100 metre relay team for T11-13 athletes, who beat Brazil to gold on the track and lowered the world record to 47.18 seconds in the process.

The United States' women's sitting volleyball team are also in the frame after beating China 3-0 to gold in the Brazilian city.

The Americans finally claimed the Paralympic title after bronze at Athens 2004 and silver at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Turkey's women's goalball side are also in the frame after beating China to the gold medal following an undefeated tournament.

The final nominees are Australia's wheelchair rugby side, who beat the US to gold after a thrilling win in overtime, 59-58.

The winners of the award will be decided by the public, who can vote here until the closing date of October 28.