Dubai 2014: Men’s +107kg at a glance

Here is a brief preview of the fourth of five events being highlighted ahead of the 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships. 04 Apr 2014
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Faris Al-Ajeeli of Iraq sticks his tongue out whilst attempting a lift

Faris Al-Ajeeli of Iraq sticks his tongue out while attempting a lift during the men's heavyweight competition at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

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By IPC

The 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships run from 5-11 April in Dubai, UAE.

When the men’s heavyweight competition at the 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships takes to the bench on 11 April, the top international lifters will try to raise close to 300kg in Dubai, UAE.

Iran’s Siamand Rahman, a Paralympic champion at London 2012, topped the world rankings in the men’s +107kg last season with a lift of 281kg and will try to raise more in Dubai, where his toughest opponent will be compatriot Mansour Pourmirzaei.

Pourmirzaei’s lift of 276kg at the 2013 IPC Powerlifting Asian Open Championships put him at the No. 2 spot on last year’s world rankings, but it also stands as the world record, as Rahman’s 281kg lift came at a national competition where IPC Powerlifting officials were not present.

South Korea’s Keun Bae Chun, a bronze medallist at London 2012 and previously an able-bodied powerlifter, finished third on last year’s world rankings and will challenge the pair.

Right alongside him doing the same will be Iraq’s Paralympic silver medallist Faris Al-Ajeeli, who won the event at the 2013 IPC Powerlifting European Open Championships with a lift of 232kg. When not lifting, Al-Ajeeli works as a chemist.