Four Paralympic champions will be crowned – two in the afternoon followed by two more in the evening – on the second day of Para Powerlifting competition at the La Chapelle Arena on 5 September. Here you can find the complete schedule and the main stars to follow on day two in Paris.
The women's up to 50kg final will open the second day's action with thrilling action on the cards. Great Britain's reigning world champion Olivia Broome looks strong to take the gold on paper but the emergence of new stars at recent World Cups should kick off an exciting contest. Broome is also the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist. At Tbilisi, China's Jinping Xiao set a new Asian record with an effort 123 kg, while Bose Bejide displayed a strong show too. China's Hu Dandan and world record holder Esther Oyema of Nigeria (131kg) will be missing out.
Next up will be the men's up to 59kg final. China's Qi Yongkai will be the man to beat in the category. He is the defending Paralympic and world champion. Among others aiming to put up a powerful show will be Al Salvador's Tokyo 2020 and Dubai 2023 Worlds medallist Herbert Aceituno and Iran's Mohsen Bakhtiar after his commanding show this season. The world record in the category is also held by Egyptian Osman (211kg) since Rio 2016.
In one of the highlights of the day – the women's up to 55kg – a showdown is expected between Ukraine's Mariana Shevchuk and Rehab Ahmed of Egypt. Shevchuk is the reigning Paralympic champion and Tbilisi 2021 Worlds gold medallist, while in-form Ahmed is the current world champion and the world record holder (135kg). Ahmed is also a silver medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Games in the lower weight category (-50kg).
The men's up to 65kg final will be the final event of the day with China's Zou Yi looking strong after his recent effort on the bench. Yi is the reigning world champion and world record holder (222kg). But watch out for Iran's Amir Jafari Arangeh who will be eager to turn his Tokyo 2020 silver into gold. He is also the Dubai 2023 World silver medallist.
The Rise of Para Powerlifting
Amid the Paris Paralympics, Google on Thursday unveiled a special Google Doodle to celebrate powerlifting at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Weightlifting, which laid the groundwork for powerlifting, first appeared at the Paralympics during the Tokyo 1964 Games. Powerlifting was added to the Paralympic roster two decades later, in 1984. It wasn't until the Sydney Games in 2000 that women were given the opportunity to compete in powerlifting at the Paralympics.
Google's Doodle Honors Para Powerlifters
Google's doodle aims to recognize the athletic prowess and dedication of the athletes by highlighting wheelchair tennis. The interactive doodle showcases animated birds with the message, “The wait is over, the weights are on. Get ready for today’s Para Powerlifting event at Aréna Porte de La Chappelle!”
Ahmed Targets Para Powerlifting Record
On Thursday, two men’s and two women’s powerlifting medals will be awarded, but Egypt's Rehab Ahmed is aiming for more than just a gold medal. Ahmed, a two-time Paralympic silver medalist, moved up from the 50-kilogram category to 55 kilograms (121 pounds) in 2023. She then claimed the world championship title in Dubai, marking her fourth world title overall.
The Cairo native also set a new 55 kg world record at this summer’s World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Tbilisi by lifting 135 kg (297.6 pounds). The current Paralympic record, set in 2016 by Mexico’s Amalia Perez Vazquez, stands at 130 kg. In powerlifting, competitors must lower the bar to their chest, keep it stationary there, and press it back up to full arm extension with locked elbows.
Understanding the Rules of Para Powerlifting
Men compete in weight categories of 49 kg, 54 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 72 kg, 80 kg, 88 kg, 97 kg, 107 kg, and over 107 kg. Women compete in weight categories of 41 kg, 45 kg, 50 kg, 55 kg, 61 kg, 67 kg, 73 kg, 79 kg, 86 kg, and over 86 kg. During a powerlifting event, athletes lie on a specially designed bench and, after taking or receiving the barbell at arm's length, must wait with locked elbows and control the bar until the Chief Referee gives the signal to begin.
A Sport Rooted in Strength and Determination
Para powerlifting, recognised as one of the fastest-growing sports within the Paralympic movement, has gained popularity across nearly 100 nations. The sport focuses on upper body strength, with athletes competing in the bench press event. During the competition, lifters must bring the barbell down to their chest, hold it stationary, and then press it upward to full arm extension with locked elbows. Each athlete is given three attempts, with the highest successful lift determining the winner. It is not unusual for athletes to lift more than three times their body weight, showcasing their exceptional strength.
The sport is governed by World Para Powerlifting, a branch of the International Paralympic Committee based in Bonn, Germany. It is open to male and female competitors who have one of eight eligible physical impairments. Athletes compete in a single sports class divided into ten weight categories for each gender. Major competitions include the Paralympic Games every four years, biennial World Championships, regional championships every three years, and annual World Cup and Grand Prix events.
The Technicalities of Para Powerlifting
Competitors perform on a specially designed bench that measures 2.1 meters in length, with a width of 61 centimetres that tapers to 30 centimetres near the head area. The bench's height ranges between 48 and 50 centimetres off the ground. Weights used in the sport must comply with specific standards as outlined by World Para Powerlifting regulations.
Powerlifting was first introduced at the Paralympics in 1984, although weightlifting debuted earlier at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Initially, the sport was restricted to male athletes with spinal cord injuries, but it has since expanded to include athletes with various physical impairments, making it one of the most inclusive sports in the Paralympic program. The event continues to grow, drawing in athletes and fans from around the world who are eager to witness these remarkable displays of strength and determination.
