Abdelkareem Khattab wins World Cup gold in Dubai

Jordan’s Abdelkareem Khattab won gold in the men’s up to 80kg at the 9th Fazza 2018 World Para Powerlifting World Cup as the third day of competition (20 February) came to an end in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The World Championships bronze medallist lifted 203kg in his first attempt, enough for him to top the podium despite failing to lift 220kg and 223kg in the following two rounds.

Khattab, who cleared the bar at 221kg at Mexico City 2017, was far from delivering his best performance, but this gold medal will surely be a confidence-boost ahead of the Kitakyushu 2018 Asian-Oceanian Open Championships and the 2018 Asian Para Games, where he defends the title.

Iran’s reigning Paralympic and world champion Majid Farzin and China’s Gu Xiaofei will be two hard-to-beat opponents, though, at both events.

India’s Sudhir (186kg) finished second and Finland’s Harri Kauppila (162kg) third.

In the women’s up to 61kg, Ukraine’s 2014 world champion Rayisa Toporkova came first following a 101kg lift and dreams of returning to the podium at major competitions after finishing fifth at Mexico City 2017. She was followed into the podium by Syria’s Fatema Alhasan (92kg) and Thailand’s Hat Motnok (63kg).

Hyeong Hui Kim gave South Korea the first gold medal in the competition as she won the women’s up to 67kg with a 101kg. Ukraine’s Natalia Oliinyk (100kg) ended closely behind and Ireland’s Britney Arendse (87kg) secured bronze.

Competition continues on Wednesday (21 February) with the men’s up to 88kg, 97kg and 107kg events.

Live stream and live results of the Fazza World Cup are available on World Para Powerlifting's website.