C4 Paralympics

Strength, agility and telepathy. These are just a few of the skills in a sitting volleyball player's genes, making them a bit like a comic book super hero. Only without the lycra

Sailing isn't just about a day out at the seaside with a packet of chips and some fresh air, to succeed in this game you've got to tame the elements as well as your opponents...

The ancient art of Judo is practice that requires deep thought and a clear mind. Then, and only then, can you bundle into your opponent screaming as you wrestle them to the floor

Otherwise known as Murderball, wheelchair rugby has more crashes than an old PC. Be careful though, there's a lot of testosterone flying around. It might get you in the face

Smaller pitch, no one bothering with the stupid offside rule... yes, 7-a-side football is officially the greatest seven-a-sided sport IN THE WORLD

Blind footballers don't just have an armoury of sublime technical skill at their disposal - they've got a mental image of the pitch more detailed than an architect's blueprints

Sharp shooting, rock-solid defensive resolve and a complete lack of fear. That's what's needed to make it in the world of wheelchair basketball. Well, that and a very high pain threshold…

Precision and nerves of steel are the name of the game as the arrows fly towards that elusive bull's-eye

Paralympic swimming events are fast, furious and feature enough photo finishes to fill a gallery bigger than your average gap-year snap collection

This is a sport in which the sharpest shooters hold their nerve while the world watches on. A steady hand is a must, a millimetre the wrong way and it’s game over

If you could bottle the atmosphere from the Paralympic velodrome, you'd have bottle of pure adrenaline. Get ready for a full-on speed fest guaranteed to keep your nails gnawed

Rowing requires upper-body strength and determination rarely found in landlubbers, no wonder these guys have arms as wide as tree trunks and lungs as deep as swimming pools...

Goalball is a fast and furious sport where players rely on bat-like ears and cat-like reflexes. If you like your sports to include blindfolds and people hurling balls at one another, then you'll love this.

Lightning-fast bladed sprinters, throwers with Spartan strength and edge-of-the-seat drama? Check, check, check. Welcome to the enthralling world of Paralympic track and field

Strawberries and cream and a nice glass of Pimms. Add to that searing serves, killer returns and pin-point precision, and you've got a potent mix of athletic ability

With glossy hair and toothy smiles, this is like watching a Glee Club for horses. Taking the reigns are riders whose levels of equine understanding put your average horse whisperer to shame

Three types of sword; foil, epee and sabre, each one as swashbuckling as the next. Keep your eyes peeled though, some bouts last just eight seconds in these warp-speed encounters

Like chess, only not remotely boring, Boccia is a thrilling game of strategy and precision. To reach the top, you need extreme control, robust nerves and almost laser-guided accuracy

One of the most visually impressive sports at the Paralympics, you'll need to sweep your chin from the floor once you've seen these guys lifting weights of up to three times their body weight

Think the Tour de France is exciting? Prepare to splutter joyous cappuccino foam all over the place when you watch Paralympic road cycling. Sprints, marathons, time trials; it has it all