China won the country's first Winter Paralympic Games medal in any sport when they beat Norway 6-5 after an extra end in the final of the wheelchair curling tournament at last month's Games.

The Chinese side received 56 per cent of the public vote to secure the award for March.

The Canadian cross-country skiing open relay team were second with 25 per cent.

The South Korean and US Para ice hockey teams were also shortlisted for the prize, along with wheelchair curling silver medallists Norway.

China's victory over world champions Norway was seen seen as a huge step for Chinese Paralympic winter sport as they prepare to host the next Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2022.

The IPC's monthly prize for March, sponsored by Allianz, was split into male, female and team categories due to the Winter Paralympics taking place.

Russia's Ekaterina Rumyantseva was named Best Female Athlete of the Month last week after she won three gold medals at Pyeongchang 2018.

Canada's Brian McKeever took the men's award after he became the most successful Paralympic cross-country skier in history following his hat-trick of successes at the South Korean Games.