The Welsh athletes to watch at this year's Paralympic games in Tokyo

A total of 22 Welsh athletes will take to the international stage next week as part of ParalympicsGB at this summer's Tokyo Paralympics.

The group is made up of six females and 15 males, with their chosen sports ranging from canoeing to judo.

Seven medals were won by Welsh para athletes in Rio, with the aim of building on this success in Tokyo.

Sabrina Fortune | Athletics

Sabrina Fortune won gold at both the European and World Championships. Credit: PA

After winning a bronze medal at Rio 2016, Fortune went on to claim her first major title in shot put with a European gold in 2018.

The success continued as the 24-year-old brought home another gold from the 2019 World Championships, with a personal best on her final throw.

Training in Deeside, Fortune will be aiming for the throw of her life at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Laura Sugar | Canoeing

Laura Sugar has previous sporting successes in both hockey and athletics, taking up canoeing in 2019. Credit: PA

Laura Sugar is a woman of many talents with sporting successes in both hockey and athletics. The 30-year-old is a former Welsh international hockey player and won bronze in the 200m at the 2016 European Championships.

Her love for hockey has endured - she still coaches the sport in her spare time at a local school.

Taking up canoeing in 2019, Sugar went on to win silver in the women's KL3 class in the World Championships. There's no doubt the Cardiff-born athlete will be hoping to make her mark in Tokyo.

Jack Hodgson | Judo

Jack Hodgson will bring his experience over the past five years into these Games. Credit: PA

Growing up on an RAF military base with his family, the 24-year-old dabbled between ballet classes and judo club. Hodgson soon opted for his father's preferred sport and now competes in the +100kg category.

Originally from Llantwit Major, Hodgson made his Paralympic debut in Rio 2016 as a teenager. He's confident that he's gained a lot more experience over the last five years ahead of these Games.

Going into Tokyo, Hodgson is currently ranked number six in the world rankings.

Hollie Arnold | Athletics

Hollie Arnold won her first major medal for Wales at the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Credit: PA

The 27-year-old made her Paralympic debut at the age of 14 in Beijing as the youngest member of the GB team.

Since then, Arnold has racked up a number of impressive achievements including a Paralympic gold in Rio 2016 and her first major medal for Wales when she won Commonwealth gold in 2018.

Off the track, Arnold was appointed an MBE in 2017 and became the first Paralympian to appear on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

Aled Davies | Athletics

Aled Davies will be hoping to make it a hat-trick after becoming Paralympic champion in both Rio 2016 and London 2012. Credit: PA

Arguably one of the most successful para athletes out there, the Welshman will be hoping to make it a hat-trick in the shot put after winning gold in both Rio 2016 and London 2012.

Born in Bridgend, Davies turned his garage into a gym and practised throwing in his garden during lockdown.

With a shot put personal best of an impressive 17.52 metres, Davies will be set to make his mark at the Games. When it comes to throwing, he is the man to beat.

Benjamin Pritchard | Rowing

Benjamin Pritchard will be making his Paralympic debut at the Games. Credit: PA

A former cyclist and triathlete, Pritchard became paralysed from the waist down after a cycling crash in September 2016. He used indoor rowing as a form of rehab, but the talent was spotted quickly.

The 29-year-old from Swansea made his international debut for the GB Rowing Team in 2019. Pritchard competed in the men’s single sculler at the World Championships, finishing one second outside of the medals in fourth.

The Welsh rower will be making his debut at the Tokyo Paralympics and will look to build on his successes so far.