Powerlifting Paralympics Paris 2024, , Lingling improved her best bench press from 121kg in February to 123kg in Paris, securing first place ahead of Britain’s Zoe Newson, who finished in second place with a lift that was 14kg lighter.

Chinese women showcased their strength on the opening day of powerlifting at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, with Guo Lingling breaking her own world record in the up to 45kg category on Wednesday.

Lingling, 35, improved her best bench press from 121kg in February to 123kg in Paris, finishing ahead of Britain’s Zoe Newson, who placed second with a lift 14kg lighter. Lingling’s performance in front of a lively yet half-full La Chapelle Arena helped her country maintain the lead in the overall medal standings at Paris 2024.

“I feel incredibly excited and happy, and the energy in the stadium was truly inspiring to me,” Lingling shared. “The Chinese government invests heavily in training athletes. That’s why China will consistently top the gold medal count,” she continued.

Earlier, compatriot Cui Zhe set a new Paralympic record in the up to 41kg category.

Zhe will turn 38 in December and has finally secured the gold medal by lifting an impressive 119kg, which is nearly three times her body weight, after earning four silver medals in her previous appearances at the Games.

I’ve been incredibly focused on this goal and have never wavered, consistently putting forth my best effort in competitions. It feels like I have a mission that remains unfinished. Becoming a Paralympic champion has always been my aim, and I’ve always believed I can achieve it,” she added.

In the men’s competitions, Jordan’s Omar Qarada successfully defended his 49kg title with a lift of 181kg, while Kazakhstan’s David Degtyarev retained his title in the up to 54kg category by fending off Cuba’s Pablo Ramirez. “After Tokyo, I trained continuously for three years, with the goal of winning again. I can’t say which medal is more significant; both are incredibly important to me,” Degtyarev stated.

The Powerlifting event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics will showcase athletes with different physical impairments competing in bench press events. Here’s a summary of what to expect:

Powerlifting at Paris 2024 Paralympics: Key Details

• Dates: The Powerlifting events are scheduled to take place from Thursday, August 29 to Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
• Venue: The competitions will be held at the South Paris Arena 6, which is part of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles complex.

Event Format and Categories

1. Weight Categories: Powerlifting at the Paralympics is divided into several weight categories for men and women. Athletes compete by attempting to lift the heaviest possible weight in the bench press, with three attempts allowed.
2. Classification: Athletes with physical impairments that affect their lower limbs or hips participate in powerlifting. There are no specific weight divisions based on the type or severity of the impairment; all athletes compete within the defined weight categories.
3. Competition Structure:
   • Athletes must lower the bar to their chest, hold it momentarily, and then press it upward until their arms are fully extended.
   • The lift is considered successful if the athlete demonstrates control and completes the lift in accordance with the rules set by World Para Powerlifting (WPP).

How to Qualify for Paris 2024

Athletes can qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games through a combination of world rankings and designated qualification events organized by the WPP. The qualification period runs up to April 2024. Each country can send a maximum of one athlete per weight category.

Past Highlights and Expected Stars

In past Paralympic Games, powerlifting has seen incredible performances, such as those from athletes like Lucy Ejike (Nigeria) and Liu Lei (China). In Paris, many top athletes are expected to return, along with new talents emerging from qualification events worldwide.

Watching the Event

The event will be broadcast worldwide, and detailed schedules, along with ticket information, can be found on the official Paris 2024 Paralympic website closer to the event dates.

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