Six defending champions have been named in the Great Britain team for next month’s World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan.

Wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft will be chasing her 15th and 16th world titles at the event from 17-25 May.

Javelin thrower Hollie Arnold and shot putter Aled Sion Davies will be hoping to add to their five world titles.

Jonathan Broom-Edwards, Sabrina Fortune and Dan Pembroke are also named on an 18-strong team.

High jumper Broom-Edwards and shot putter Fortune are currently two-time world champions in their events while Pembroke won his maiden world title in Paris last year after claiming Paralympic gold in Tokyo.

GB finished fourth in the medal table at last year’s Worlds, winning 29 medals, including 10 golds.

The athletics events at the Paris Paralympics take place from 30 August to 9 September.

Head of Paralympic performance, Tom Paulson, said: “This is a unique championships taking place a couple of months out from the Paralympic Games, with Paris the main focus for athletes this season.

“We have selected a team which balances the aims of providing qualification opportunities to achieve quota slots at the Paralympic Games for many athletes on the team, while also supporting those medallists from last year’s championships who have outlined – whilst satisfying the selection panel – that competing in Kobe at these championships is a vital part of their preparation for Paris.”

Team

Women: Fabienne André (T34 100m and 800m), Hollie Arnold (F46 Javelin), Hannah Cockroft (T34 100m and 800m), Sabrina Fortune (F20 Shot Put), Ali Smith (T38 100m and 400m), Mel Woods (T54 400m, 800m and 1500m)

Men: Columba Blango (T20 400m), Jonathan Broom-Edwards (T64 High Jump), Aled Sion Davies (F63 Shot Put), Mo Jomni (T53 400m and 800m), Nathan Maguire (T54 400m, 800m and 1500m), Owen Miller (T20 1500m), Dan Pembroke (F13 Javelin), Marcus Perrineau-Daley (T52 100m), Kevin Santos (T47 100m), Zac Shaw (T12 100m), Harrison Walsh (F64 Discus), Thomas Young (T38 100m)