From Paralympic, World, and European medallists to rising stars making their debut: these are some of the athletes to watch during the 2025 European Para Youth Games (EPYG) in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 24 to 28 July.

Joel Martin Villalobos (ESP) – Para taekwondo

A rising force in Para Taekwondo, Villalobos competes in the fiercely contested Men’s K44 -58kg category. He fought his way to a strong fifth-place finish at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. After winning European bronze in 2023, he struck gold at the 2024 European Qualification Tournament to secure his spot for Paris 2024. Known for his explosive kicks and tactical precision, Villalobos also studies sports nutrition and dreams of opening his own taekwondo gym—while keeping his sights firmly set on Los Angeles 2028.

Reyhan Taşdelen (TUR) – Para athletics

Taşdelen made history as the youngest Turkish Para athlete to compete at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, representing her country in the T20 long jump event. Leading up to Paris, she won multiple medals at the 2024 Virtus European Indoor Championships, establishing herself as one of Türkiye's brightest young talents.

Areti Aravela Spyridou (GRE) – Para swimming

Spyridou is the youngest Greek athlete ever to compete at the Paralympics – she was 12 years and 190 days old when she competed at Paris 2024. At her Paralympic debut, she set personal bests in both the 100m backstroke and 50m backstroke.

Ismail Barlov (BIH) – Para swimming

Barlov made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games by winning a silver medal in the 50m breaststroke SB2 event. With a time of 1:02,74, he secured Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-ever individual medal at the Paralympics. He was the youngest male swimmer in the competition.

Sabir Zeynalov (AZE) – Para taekwondo

Zeynalov was the first-ever Azerbaijani to medal in Para taekwondo at the Paralympic Games when he captured a bronze at Paris 2024. Also won bronze at the 2021 World Championships, as well as the 2022 and 2023 European Para Championships.

Nisanur Kocabas (GER) – Para swimming

Kocabas is widely regarded as one of Germany’s most promising young para-athletes. Kocabas was born with leg paralysis and began swimming as therapy, quickly turning it into a competitive passion. Kocabas won six golds and one silver at the 2023 German short-course championships.

Esra Yüce (TUR) – Para swimming

Yüce won gold in the 50m butterfly event at the Gymnasiade ISF U15 World Championships in Serbia earlier this year, where her also took a silver in the 50m backstroke. Born with a muscle deficiency in her arms, Yüce started swimming at age five and quickly showed her talent in the sport. The swimmer competes in the S5 category and uses a special mouth-held device to help with backstroke starts. Trains six days per week and dreams of a medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

Conor Coughlan (IRL) – Wheelchair basketball

Coughlan already has a medal from the EPYG having helped Ireland to bronze in Pajulahti, Finland in 2022 when his 53 points earned him a spot in the overall All-Star team of the tournament. Regarded as one of Europe’s top players, his goal is to turn professional with a team in Europe once his studies at the University of Limerick are over. Has won six National Cup titles with his Rebel Wheelers squad in Ireland.

Rafael Viriato (POR) – Boccia

Viriato is a rising boccia talent from Portugal, having won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Curitiba, Brazil, earlier this year. He won the medal with teammate Tiago Silva in the BC4 class, while he finished fourth in the individual rankings.

Goalball – Türkiye women’s team

The Turkish women’s goalball team won gold at the past three Paralympic Games (2016, 2020 and 2024). The young Turkish team is certainly a force to be reckoned with at the EPYG – can the young generation follow in the footsteps of their role models and Paralympic champions?

The record-breaking Istanbul 2025 European Para Youth Games officially open on 24 July and run until 27 July. They will feature a record 640 athletes with 1,200 competitors, coaches and team staff from 33 countries, also the biggest ever number, competing in Para archery, Para athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, Para judo, Para swimming, Para table tennis and Para taekwondo.

Participants will also get to experience the Discovery Programme where they will have the chance to take part in education and experiences in a broad range of topics, including activities designed to immerse the people of Istanbul in EPYG and to get to know Para sport.