Port Macquarie sporting identity Ryley Batt has been named as a finalist in the Australian Paralympic Awards.
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The two-time Paralympic champion Ryley Batt was named alongside the Australian wheelchair rugby team for Team of the Year.
The awards are on Thursday December 8 in Sydney.
Batt helped lead the Steelers to victory at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, defeating Great Britain, Brazil, Canada and Japan to play their rivals, the United States in the gold medal match.
In that match, the teams were locked at 49 each before Australia ultimately edged out the US in a gripping double overtime thriller. In claiming victory, the side became the first team in history to win consecutive Paralympic gold medals and a world championship in a four-year period.
Congratulating Batt and the rest of the Steelers for their gold medal win and the nomination, Chef de Mission of the 2016 Australian Paralympic Team Kate McLoughlin said: “Wheelchair rugby is one of the most exciting sports to watch at the Paralympic Games, and to see Australia win after such a suspenseful match was one of the highlights of the entire Games.
“The Steelers did an amazing job defeating their rivals and the fact that they were able to defend their Paralympic title from London makes the victory so much sweeter.”
Tickets for the 2016 Australian Paralympic Awards are still available and can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com.au
