The world's most inspirational sporting festival will begin on 7 September in Rio de Janeiro. Athletes from over 170 countries will be competing in the largest ever Paralympic Games, in more than 20 sports ranging from archery and goalball to sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby.

Tickets are still available for some of the most exciting and prestigious events at Rio 2016. Spectators can expect fierce battles for medals, world records to be broken, an inspirational performance from the home country, and a celebration of the human spirit that will endure in the memory forever.

*Click on the numbers to buy tickets for each event

Archery

1. Iran's Zahra Nemati is one of her country’s most popular athletes after becoming the first Iranian woman to win a gold medal at either an Olympic or Paralympic Games. Four years later, Nemati will be back to defend her title in Rio in the individual recurve W1/W2 event and inspire women around the world. She will be one of the few athletes to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio and will carry the Iranian flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

2. Matt Stutzmann, the 'Armless Archer' from the USA will also be competing in Rio in the individual compound event. Stutzmann holds the world record for the longest distance anyone has ever fired an arrow.

Athletics

3. Sporting history could be made in the Olympic Stadium in September. Markus Rehm, AKA the Blade Jumper, could jump further in the long jump than the Olympic champion. The German world champion holds the world record in the long jump in the T44 category, a massive 8.40m. He's also a medal-winning sprinter.

4. Felipe Gomes, a blind sprinter from one of Rio's most notorious favela communities, is set to be one of the stars of the Games. The Paralympic champion over 200m in the T11 class is aiming for even greater heights in Rio.

5. Alan Fonteles, who famously stunned the London Olympic Stadium by beating Oscar Pistorius in 2012, will be out to defend his 100m title in the T43 class.

6. Terezinha Guilhermina, who once employed Usain Bolt as her guide runner, is surely one of the most colourful athletes in the world. China’s Cuiqing Liu will be out to ensure Guilhermina doesn’t have it all her own way.

7. The ever-smiling Verônica Hipólito, a 19-year-old sprinter in the T38 category, is set to be one of the faces of the Games. The stadium will erupt if she makes it to the podium in Rio.

8. The Brazilians won't have it all their own way in Rio. Coached by Brazilian middle-distance running legend Joaquim Cruz, David Brown of the USA has been setting new world records in the 100m and 200m T11 events. Brown will be going up against the Brazilians in Rio, in what should be a thrilling showdown.

9. Great Britain's Johnnie Peacock, whose name was chanted by 80,000 people in the London Olympic Stadium, will be aiming to defend his T44 title in the 100m. The USA’s Jarryd Wallace will be out to stop Peacock.

10. Another American, reigning world long jump champion Lex Gillette, looks well positioned to set a new world record in the long jump in the T11 class. Expect Gillette to burst into song if he wins gold.

11. Five-time Paralympian legend Tatyana McFadden heads the USA team. This September the 11-time Paralympic medallist is aiming to become the first athlete to sweep distances ranging from the 100m to the marathon. She will be competing in an unprecedented seven wheelchair events.

12. Glamorous Omara Durand, the Cuban sprinter who has recorded 11.65 seconds in the 100m T13 category, looks unstoppable in the sprints and is set to become one of the poster girls of the Games.

13. Martina Caironi is the world record holder in the T42 class of the 100m with a time of 14.61 seconds. She could even improve on this at Rio 2016. Caironi will be carrying the Italian flag in the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Boccia

14. World no.1 Dutchman Daniel Perez and world champion Briton David Smith are all set to go head-to-head in a compelling contest in the BC1 class at Carioca Arena 1.

15. In the BC2 class, local favourite Maciel Santos, gold medallist at London, looks likely to help add to the Brazilian medal haul. Santos’s older compatriot Dirceu Pinto is boccia’s top Paralympic medallist with four golds and he’ll be in action in Rio too.

Canoe Sprint

16. Australia's reigning world champion Curtis McGrath is one of the hottest favourites in Rio, where the VL2 event will be appearing at the Paralympic Games for the first time. McGrath lost his legs in a bomb explosion in 2012 while serving as an Australian Army combat engineer in Afghanistan. His journey since then has been nothing less than inspirational.

Cycling Road

17. Alex Zanardi will be looking to defend his H4 title from London 2012, just one month before he turns 50. The former Formula One driver lost both legs in an accident in 2001 but has made a remarkable switch to hand cycling.

18. Another veteran, 41-year-old Peruvian Israel Hilario Rimas is hoping to secure Peru’s first Paralympic medal in 12 years in the C2 class and their first ever medal in cycling.

Cycling Track

19. All-time great Sarah Storey, Great Britain’s most decorated female Paralympian, will be competing at her seventh Games in Rio. As a swimmer, Storey claimed five gold, eight silver and three bronze Paralympic medals between 1992 and 2004. Storey then switched to cycling and won six more golds. She is widely expected to shine in Rio again in the C5 class.

Equestrian

20. Austrian dressage star Pepo Puch won a memorable freestyle gold medal in the grade 1b class at London 2012, four years after a freak accident left him with paraplegia and only days after the death of his mother. In Rio, Puch will face off with Great Britain's legendary rider Lee Pearson, who will be competing in his fifth Paralympic Games.

Football 5-a-side

21. No prizes as to guessing who will be favourites in Rio. Brazil have won every Paralympic Games gold medal available in their sport and have never lost a match on the biggest stage of all. Expect a passionate atmosphere in Rio when talented stars such as Jefinho try to lead the team towards glory on home soil.

In Rio, Brazil, Morocco, Iran and Turkey will play in Group A, whilst Argentina have been drawn with Mexico, China and Russia in Group B. A Brazil-Argentina confrontation would be unmissable.

Football 7-a-side

22. One of the highlights of what should be a closely contested tournament will be the match between world no.1 and London 2012 silver medallists Ukraine against home nation Brazil in the group stage. A repeat final between Ukraine and fellow 7-a-side powerhouse Russia, gold medallists at London, would be a tense and nerve-wracking occasion.

Goalball

23. Goalball is one of the most gripping of Paralympic sports. Brazil will be favourites in Rio, which will see the next chapter played out in their compelling rivalry with Finland. Finland defeated Brazil 8-1 in the gold medal match at London 2012, but at the 2014 world championships, Brazil secured their revenge by hammering Finland 9-1. If the two meet in the final again in Rio, expect fireworks. The draw for goalball created a ‘group of death’ in the pool stage, with gold medal contenders Finland, the USA and Lithuania.

24. In the women's competition, the Brazilian team are world champions. With stars such as Victoria Amorim, the home side will be looking to complete a clean sweep of goalball gold.

Judo

25. Brazil has a strong tradition in judo in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Antonio Tenorio is hoping to extend his five-medal streak on home soil to end his career on a high note. Tenorio took gold in his Paralympic debut at Atlanta 1996 and then won the title three more times, becoming the first judoka to win four consecutive Paralympic golds. 

26. London 2012 silver medallist Lucia Araújo is one of Brazil´s main medal hopes in the women's events, in the 57kg category. Last year, Araujo took gold at Toronto Parapan American Games. 

Powerlifting

27. Rio 2016 could witness a historic moment. Iran’s Siamand Rahman, the strongest Paralympian in the world, is hoping to reach the 300kg mark and win the Paralympic title in the over 100kg category. Rahman broke his own world record earlier this year at a World Cup event in Dubai with a 296kg lift and is now planning to hold onto the title he won in London.

Rowing

28. Since finishing with the silver medal in London, Australia's Erik Horrie has been dominating the AS men’s class, capturing his third straight world title at the 2015 world championships. He has not lost a single major race since London.

29. In the women's events, Israel's Moran Samuel is coming into Rio after an unbeaten 2015 season, when she landed her first world title, winning the AS women’s single scull event.

Sailing

30. German yachtsman Heiko Kroeger will try to reclaim the Paralympic title he won 16 years ago at Sydney 2000. If successful, it will be one of the longest gaps between individual championships in sporting history. The 50-year-old won silver at London 2012. Since sailing’s introduction to the Paralympic programme at Sydney 2000, Kroeger has taken part in every edition. Born without a left forearm, Kroeger sails in the 2.4 Norlin OD class – or single-person keelboat event.

Shooting

31. China's Cuiping Zhang won gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing event at London, setting a world and Paralympic record. She followed this with a second gold in the 50m rifle three positions, adding to the two silvers she won at Beijing. In 2015 she set three new world records.

32. Rio 2016 will probably be the last Paralympic Games for shooting legend Jonas Jacobsson, arguably the greatest Paralympic shooter of all time with 17 Paralympic gold medals to his name. Jacobsson participated in his first Paralympic Games in 1980, at the age of 15. Rio will be his 10th Games.

Sitting volleyball

33. When Iran meet Bosnia and Hercegovina in sitting volleyball, the world sits up and takes notice. At Rio 2016, the two have been drawn together in Pool B in the men's competition. The two rivals have contested the last four Paralympic finals dating back to Sydney 2000 and it was the European side that came out on top last time round at London 2012.

World no.4 side Brazil are in Pool A. Don't rule out the hosts: Brazil's men's team won golds in the 2011 and 2015 Para-Pan American Games, and world silver in 2014, beating Iran on the way.

Swimming

34. Brazil's biggest Paralympic star of all is probably 10-time Paralympic champion Daniel Dias. In 2015, Dias won seven gold medals and a silver at the world championships in Glasgow. In 2016, he won a record third Laureus Award. Dias competes in a series of events in the S5 class, including the 100m breaststroke, the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle. He is the reigning Paralympic champion in all these races.

35. Team-mate André Brasil, an S10 swimmer, will also bring the house down when he adds to his medal haul. The multiple medallist competed successfully at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, where he won three gold medals and two silvers.

36. Canada's Benoit Huot, a 19-time Paralympic medallist in the S10 class, will be returning for a fifth Paralympic Games. ‘The Shark’, as his team mates call him, first competed in the Paralympic Games at Sydney 2000.

37. In the women's events, Spanish swimming legend Maria Teresa Perales will be aiming to retain her 100m freestyle title for the fourth consecutive Games before bowing out of Paralympic competition for good.

38. Brazilian swimmer Verônica Almeida won bronzes at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, and could take the roof off the aquatics stadium if she finally takes gold in Rio. She's also a world record holder in open water swimming.

39. British star Ellie Simmonds at just 13 won two golds in the Paralympic swimming at Beijing 2008 and then two more at London 2012. Her head-to-head in the 400m freestyle against her great rival from Ukraine, Yelyzaveta Mereshko, will be one of the highlights of Rio 2016. Simmonds has a starring role in the inspirational Channel 4 Paralympic film.

40. US para swimmer Elizabeth Marks incurred an injury to both her hips while serving as a combat medic in Iraq and later lung disease that put her on life support. She has come back to be a potential star of Rio 2016.

41. The 12-time Paralympic gold medallist from the USA, Jessica Long, will also be making the trip to Rio. Long won eight medals, made up of five gold, two silver and one bronze, at London 2012 in the S8 class. The swimming star, who is aged only 24, made her international debut at Athens 2004 and won three gold medals. Despite her relatively young age, she is one of the world’s most decorated swimmers with 17 Paralympic medals in total.

Table tennis

42. Natalia Partyka is one of that rare breed of athletes who competes in both Olympic and Paralympic sports. The table tennis star from Poland was Born without a right hand and forearm and cradles the plastic ball in a nook at the edge of her forearm for the throw. A three-time Paralympic champion in the women’s singles class 10, Partyka will be one of the most popular participants at Rio 2016. She has not lost a match since 2008. Home favourite Bruna Costa Alexandre from Brazil has a mountain to climb if she is to snatch glory from the Polish star.

43. Like Partyka, in the men's event China's Lin Ma is a red hot favourite for gold in class 9. Ma started playing when he was just six years old and is going for his third-straight Paralympic singles title in Rio. Having won the men’s class 9 singles world title in 2014 and then the Asian title in 2015, Ma remains the no.1 player in the world in his class.

Triathlon

44. Who will win the first ever Paralympic triathlons? In total, 60 athletes will compete for the first ever Paralympic medals in the discipline. In the historic first races, look out for Melissa Stockwell from the USA, who while serving in the army in Baghdad became the first ever woman to lose a limb in active combat. Stockwell will be trying to seal her inspirational recovery since then with inaugural gold in Rio.

Wheelchair basketball

45. There is no love lost between the two most successful men's teams in recent Paralympic history, Australia and Canada. One of the most eagerly awaited matches of the entire tournament will take place on 10 September, when Canada take on Australia in the group stage, the reigning Paralympic champions against the double world champions. Canada beat Australia to the gold medal at London 2012 and Athens 2004, while Australia triumphed in the final at Beijing 2008.

46. In the women's event, the USA team are desperate to make amends for a poor performance at London 2012, where they finished fourth. The Beijing 2008 gold medallists count among their ranks veteran player Rebecca Murray, who already has two Parapan American Games gold medals, a world championship and the 2008 Paralympics gold next to her name.

Wheelchair fencing

47. Expect an electric atmosphere in the Youth Arena when Brazil's Jovane Silva Guissone takes to the piste in Rio for the epee event. Gold medallist at London 2012, Guissone is all set on repeating his triumph in his home country. “Added pressure is a given, but we have to know how to manage it and not let it get in the way," he said earlier this year.

Wheelchair rugby

48. The fast-paced, big-hitting sport of wheelchair rugby is traditionally one of the biggest draws at the Paralympic Games. The four powerhouses in the sport are no.1 ranked USA, London 2012 champions Australia, Athens 2004 gold medallists New Zealand and three-time runners-up Canada. They are all coming to Rio 2016, so high-quality action and drama is guaranteed. The men's group-stage match between Canada and Australia looks like a cracker.

Wheelchair tennis

49. In the men's event, some of the game's biggest stars are coming into Rio 2016 in top form. In July, Great Britain's Gordon Reid won the inaugural singles competition at Wimbledon, the home of tennis. Reid won the Australian Open earlier in the year and will also be competing in doubles with teenage partner Alfie Hewett. Reid's conqueror in the French Open final, Argentina's Gustavo Fernandez, is another strong contender for gold. World no.1 and London silver medallist Stephane Houdet from France will also be in the mix, plus two-time defending Paralympic champion Shingo Kunieda from Japan. 

50. In the women's competition there seems no stopping the Dutch. At Wimbledon, Jiske Griffioen captured her fourth Grand Slam title, defeating compatriot Aniek van Koot 4-6, 6-0, 6-4. Griffioen and Van Koot look like an unstoppable pairing in the doubles at Rio. But Natalia Mayara will be seeking to repeat her two gold medals at the 2015 Parapan-American Games in front of her home fans.