Seven Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Paralympic athletes are making final preparations for the IPC Athletics World Championships to take place in Christchurch, New Zealand, from 21 to 30 January.

AIS athletes named in the Australian team are:

• Evan O’Hanlon
• Brad Scott
• Scotty Reardon
• Michael Roeger
• Sam Harding
• Jodi Elkington
• Kathryn Proudfoot.

They will take on some of the world’s best Paralympians, with more than 1000 athletes from 70 nations participating in the event, which is one of biggest of its kind before the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

22-year-old O’Hanlon (T38/F38 classification class) is one of Australia’s strong medal prospects. O’Hanlon is aiming to compete in five events: 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 4 x 100 metre relay and long jump, and is confident he will perform strongly.

‘I’m fitter than I have been, stronger than I have been, and faster than I have been,’ O’Hanlon said.

‘I love the pressure. When the show’s on I can turn it on,’ said the Beijing Paralympic triple gold medallist.

The AIS athletes train under the guidance of AIS Paralympic athletics coach Iryna Dvoskina and throwing coach Alison O’Riordan.

They will compete in a final warm-up meet this Friday 14 January at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre before heading to the IPC World Championships.

The AIS works in partnership with the Australian Paralympic Committee to provide athletes with disability with access to quality coaching, sports science and training facilities in preparation for international competition.