The line-up includes medallists from the London 2012 Paralympic Games and the Parapan Amercian Games.

The United States will have the biggest squad at the event, with 13 athletes competing across the four classes of BC1, BC2, BC3 and BC4.

The home squad is relatively inexperienced however on the international stage, with only one competitor from London 2012 taking part in Kansas, Austin Hanson, who competes in the BC3 category.

Hanson could face stiff competition from North American neighbours Marco Dispaltro and Josh Vander Vies of Canada who won bronze in the BC3 pairs competition at London 2012 and will pose a serious threat in the individual event.

Maria Belen Ruiz of Argentina will also be looking to show up well in the BC3 category following her silver medal at the Parapan American Games in Guadaljara in 2011.


Another Argentinean silver medallist from Guadalajara 2011 will be hoping to go one better at the New Century Field House as Pablo Alejandro Cortez will be vying with South American rival and reigning Paralympic champion Maciel Santos of Brazil in the BC2 event.

The BC1 category looks like being one of the most keenly contested events of the tournament as defending Americas Cup champion Mauricio Javier Ibarbue of Argentina, will be up against Guadalajara 2011 gold and silver medallists Eduardo Flores of Mexico and Colombia's Elinia Henao Gonzalez.

The most open category appears to be the BC4 class, with a number of the 21 competitors making their debuts in international competition including Bermuda's Steve Wilson who is expected to contend for a podium position along with Chilean's Hugo Llancafil and Leonel Arellano.

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