Smith and Shaw voted as GB co-captains for worlds

Ali Smith won a silver medal in the universal relay at the Paralympic games at Tokyo in 2020

Para sprinters Ali Smith and Zac Shaw have been named co-captains for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at the World Para Athletics Championships which start on Friday.

The 11th edition of the championships will be held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17-25.

After a vote conducted by the selected squad, Smith and Shaw were chosen to lead the team.

“I’m really excited and can’t quite believe it," Smith, who trains at Guildford & Godalming Athletics Club, said.

"It’s voted by our team-mates, so to be trusted to lead the team at a World Championships in such an important year from a very experienced and successful group of athletes is an honour."

Smith competes in the T38 100m, 400m and universal relay, previously winning a silver medal at the Paralympic games at Tokyo in 2020.

Shaw trains in Cleethorpes and has been competing for British teams since 2015.

“My message to the team was that we’ve all had to overcome some big hurdles and challenges just to be here," he said.

"The most difficult part is getting yourself to the start line, so we should go and enjoy it as you never know what can happen in sport."