On 5 September 4 Paralympic champions will be crowned at the La Chapelle Arena during the second day of Powerlifting Paralympics competitions. The action kicks off in the afternoon with two events, followed by two more in the evening.
Here’s what to expect and who to watch out for!
The Afternoon Powerlifting Paralympics Competitions
The day starts with the women’s up to 50kg final, where reigning world champion Olivia Broome from Great Britain looks strong to claim the gold. Broome, who also won bronze at Tokyo 2020, will face tough competition from new stars like China’s Jinping Xiao, who set a new Asian record by lifting 123kg at a recent World Cup.
- Other athletes to watch include Bose Bejide,
- but China’s Hu Dandan and
- Nigeria’s world record holder Esther Oyema (131kg) won’t be competing.
Following this will be the men’s up to 59kg final. China’s Qi Yongkai is the favorite, being both the defending Paralympic and world champion. However, El Salvador’s Herbert Aceituno, who medaled at Tokyo 2020 and the 2023 World Championships, and Iran’s Mohsen Bakhtiar, who has had a strong season, will also be aiming for gold. The world record of 211kg, set by Egypt’s Osman at Rio 2016, still stands as a challenge for competitors.
The Evening Para Powerlifting Competitions
In the women’s up to 55kg final, a thrilling match is expected between Ukraine’s Mariana Shevchuk and Egypt’s Rehab Ahmed. Shevchuk is the defending Paralympic champion and Tbilisi 2021 Worlds gold medallist, while Ahmed, the current world champion and record holder (135kg), is in top form. Ahmed also won silver at Tokyo 2020 in the lower weight category (up to 50kg), making this showdown one to watch.
The men’s up to 65kg final will close out the day. China’s Zou Yi, the reigning world champion and world record holder (222kg), is the one to beat. But Iran’s Amir Jafari Arangeh, who took silver at Tokyo 2020 and the 2023 World Championships, will be determined to claim the gold this time.
Get ready for an exciting day of Para Powerlifting as these incredible athletes compete for Paralympic glory.
