Sixth Games huge honour: Hall
The Otago Paralympian has been selected for his sixth Paralympic Winter Games and will compete in the men's slalom standing and men's giant slalom standing in Milano Cortina in March.
Defending men's downhill sitting champion Corey Peters has also been named in the New Zealand team for his fourth Games. He will race in the downhill sitting, super-G sitting and giant slalom.
Hall joins Graham Condon and Michael Johnson as a record-equalling six-time Paralympian, a feat he never could have imagined at the start of his career.
"When you look back, you would never think that you would be in a position now that you're still here, and a couple of decades later still in the game and still competitive," Hall told the Otago Daily Times .
"To be named again in the team, it's not just a huge honour, and a privilege, it's a rare opportunity that you get to go to a Paralympic Games and represent your country."
Hall said it was not just a testament to his hard work, but his support network who had backed him behind the scenes.
The 37-year-old, who was born with spina bifida, won gold in the men's slalom standing at the Paralympics in 2010 and 2018.
He also won bronze in the men's super combined standing in 2018 and 2022 and bronze in the men's slalom standing in 2022.
That drive to be the best still burned bright two decades on.
"At the end of the day it's winning medals — whether that's gold medals [or] podiums.
"Competition gets so competitive now that almost being on the podium no matter what colour it feels like a gold medal.
"There's so many other athletes from around the world where we're all ... pushing to do the same.
"I've been fortunate enough to have some relatively good successes along the way.
"When you're able to just train hard towards a goal ... and when you see that working being rewarded with results, it's pretty satisfying."
But there was a deeper meaning behind his drive to leave the sport in a better place and add to its history.
"Winter Paralympics in New Zealand's got quite a special legacy to it.
"We have been to all the winter Paralympics and been successful at every games from early on.
"It's just trying to also continue that legacy.
"Not just show up and be competitive, but to show up and be more than that if we can and continue that legacy for those that have been before us."
Hall, who was born in Dunedin but now lives in Wānaka to be close to the slopes, will make the most of the New Zealand snow in the coming months before heading overseas later in the year to continue his buildup to Italy.
And while Wānaka might like to think of Hall as their own these days, he never forgets where he came from.
"You can't take the Taieri out of me. That's where home is — it always will be."
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Sixth Games huge honour: Hall
Adam Hall never envisioned being where he is today. The Otago Paralympian has been selected for his sixth Paralympic Winter Games and will compete in the men's slalom standing and men's giant slalom standing in Milano Cortina in March. Defending men's downhill sitting champion Corey Peters has also been named in the New Zealand team for his fourth Games. He will race in the downhill sitting, super-G sitting and giant slalom. Hall joins Graham Condon and Michael Johnson as a record-equalling six-time Paralympian, a feat he never could have imagined at the start of his career. "When you look back, you would never think that you would be in a position now that you're still here, and a couple of decades later still in the game and still competitive," Hall told the Otago Daily Times . "To be named again in the team, it's not just a huge honour, and a privilege, it's a rare opportunity that you get to go to a Paralympic Games and represent your country." Hall said it was not just a testament to his hard work, but his support network who had backed him behind the scenes. The 37-year-old, who was born with spina bifida, won gold in the men's slalom standing at the Paralympics in 2010 and 2018. He also won bronze in the men's super combined standing in 2018 and 2022 and bronze in the men's slalom standing in 2022. That drive to be the best still burned bright two decades on. "At the end of the day it's winning medals — whether that's gold medals [or] podiums. "Competition gets so competitive now that almost being on the podium no matter what colour it feels like a gold medal. "There's so many other athletes from around the world where we're all ... pushing to do the same. "I've been fortunate enough to have some relatively good successes along the way. "When you're able to just train hard towards a goal ... and when you see that working being rewarded with results, it's pretty satisfying." But there was a deeper meaning behind his drive to leave the sport in a better place and add to its history. "Winter Paralympics in New Zealand's got quite a special legacy to it. "We have been to all the winter Paralympics and been successful at every games from early on. "It's just trying to also continue that legacy. "Not just show up and be competitive, but to show up and be more than that if we can and continue that legacy for those that have been before us." Hall, who was born in Dunedin but now lives in Wānaka to be close to the slopes, will make the most of the New Zealand snow in the coming months before heading overseas later in the year to continue his buildup to Italy. And while Wānaka might like to think of Hall as their own these days, he never forgets where he came from. "You can't take the Taieri out of me. That's where home is — it always will be."
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Grimaldi given rare opportunity
Anna Grimaldi is making the most of her latest opportunity. The Dunedin Paralympic champion is adjusting to the United States heat after being invited to race in the 100m at the prestigious Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, this weekend. Attending the meet, which is part of the Diamond League circuit, is a huge coup for the T47 Paris 200m champion and 100m bronze medallist. "I feel really excited to be invited to race at Pre'," Grimaldi told the Otago Daily Times from Arizona. "It was kind of one of those opportunities that I knew as soon as it came in that we were going to do everything to make sure I was there. "I feel really lucky to have these opportunities." While it is a mixed classification race, Grimaldi will come up against American Brittni Mason, who won silver in the 100m and 200m races in Paris. "I've never beaten her over the 100m so this will be a good battle," Grimaldi said. "We've never raced outside of world champs or the Paralympic Games before, so that's also really cool." Para athletes seldom get the chance to race against each other outside their two pinnacle events, but more para events are being added to athletic meets. Alongside the women's mixed classification 100m, Prefontaine will host a men's 100m and 200m — Kiwi Paralympian Mitch Joynt will race in the latter — and a 800m wheelchair specialist event. Grimaldi, who is scheduled to race about 7am (NZ time) on Sunday, is thrilled there is more interest in para events. "The more it happens ... the more it's going to continue. I hope that's the case. "I hope getting this start in this race will give me opportunity to race at future, either Pre', or at other Diamond Leagues as well. "Because this is such an awesome opportunity that our able-bodied counterparts get to have multiple times a year ... but we only get it once every four years at the Games and then once every two years at world champs. "The only way to get better, and learn more about yourself competing but also your opponents and the whole sport, is to keep competing and just to have these opportunities. "That's what we need to grow our sport, to grow interest in our sport, to grow interest in us as individual athletes as well." After a stint at home to start 2025, Grimaldi has been in Phoenix to train with Altis, a running group, in preparation for the Prefontaine. Training in over 40degC was part of the plan to help her adjust, but also give her a "tune-up" for racing in the heat before the world para athletics championships in India in September. "It is overwhelming but it's these moments where I learn a lot about myself and what I need to do. "Overall this has been such a great opportunity already. "I can't imagine how it could get any better and the comp hasn't even started yet." Grimaldi will return to Dunedin after the Prefontaine to "knuckle down" with coach Mikey Jacobs before the world championships. Her partner, Australian Paralympic distance runner Jaryd Clifford, is heading to Eugene to watch Grimaldi and will then spend three weeks training in Dunedin.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
History Maker Hall Joined By Defending Champion Peters On NZ Paralympic Team For Milano Cortina 2026
Paralympian #158 Adam Hall MNZM was today selected for a record-equalling sixth Paralympic Games alongside defending Men's Downhill Sitting champion Paralympian #188 Corey Peters MNZM on the NZ Paralympic Team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games (6-15 March 2026). Hall is set to match the landmark achievement of fellow Kiwis – Paralympian #4 Graham Condon QSM and Paralympian #148 Michael Johnson MNZM as a six-time Paralympian. The 37-year-old Dunedin-born Para athlete is the first New Zealand Para athlete to appear at six Paralympic Winter Games. Making his debut appearance at Torino 2006, Hall, who was born with spina bifida, claimed a gold medal in the Men's Slalom Standing at Vancouver 2010 before he regained the title eight years later at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, where he also snared a bronze medal in the Men's Super Combined Standing. At the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games he added more gloss to his outstanding CV, winning bronze medals in the Men's Super Combined Standing and Men's Slalom Standing disciplines. Selected for both the Men's Slalom Standing and the Men's Giant Slalom Standing at Milano Cortina 2026, Hall said: 'Winning selection for my sixth Paralympic Winter Games is an immense honour that reflects both my dedication to the sport but also more importantly the unwavering support of my family, friends, Snowsports NZ, HPSNZ and Paralympics New Zealand. 'Each Paralympic experience provides a unique platform to challenge myself, inspire others, and demonstrate the remarkable capabilities of what is possible when living with a disability or not. I extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to my teammates, coaches, and all those who have supported me throughout this journey. Together we will continue to strive to push boundaries and redefine the possibilities within the world of adaptive and para winter sport.' Joining Hall on the NZ Paralympic Team is Peters, who will make his fourth Paralympic Winter Games appearance at Milano Cortina 2026. Raised in New Plymouth, the 41-year-old sit skier claimed a silver medal in the Men's Giant Slalom Sitting discipline on his Paralympic debut in Sochi 2014. Four years later at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games he added a bronze medal in the Men's Downhill Sitting, before producing 'the run of his life' to claim a stunning Men's Downhill Sitting gold medal at Beijing 2022 and silver in the Men's Super-G Sitting. Peters, who sustained a crushed spinal cord competing in a motocross event 16 years ago, took a year out from the sport following the birth of his daughter, Valentina, in 2022 and spent a further 12 months on the sidelines after sustaining a dislocated shoulder in a training accident in Chile in mid-2023. However, the experienced Kiwi made a successful return to the podium during the 2024-25 World Cup campaign suggesting he is in shape to mount a strong medal challenge at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Selected for the Men's Downhill Sitting, Men's Super-G Sitting and Men's Giant Slalom Sitting for Milano Cortina 2026, Peters said: 'Being selected for my fourth Paralympic Games is more than an honour — it's a testament to years of resilience, growth, and unwavering passion. Every Games tells a different story, and this one is about legacy. It's about representing not just my country, but every challenge I've faced and every person who believed in me. I carry all of that with pride, and I'm ready to give it everything I've got.' PNZ CEO Greg Warnecke said: 'Adam and Corey have been stalwarts of the NZ Paralympic Team for many years now and to select them once again says so much about their ongoing success on the slopes and incredible longevity. Both Para alpine skiing legends have consistently delivered on the biggest stage banking an incredible nine Paralympic Winter Games medals between them. We look forward to seeing how the duo fare at Milano Cortina 2026, competing once again against the global elite.' A second selection announcement for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, should it be required, will be made in February 2026.
