Mexico City 2017: Latifat Tijani vs. Zoe Newson

As we count down to the World Para Powerlifting World Championships in Mexico City today (17 November) is the start of our Head to Head series, where we’ll take a look at some of the biggest rivalries on show at the competition. China’s Paralympic champion Hu Dandan withdrawal from competing at Mexico City 2017 has paved the way for Nigeria’s Rio 2016 silver medallist Latifat Tijani and Great Britain’s double Paralympic bronze medallist Zoe Newson to fight for the women’s up to 45kg world title.

In Rio, Tijani lifted 106kg and Newson cleared the bar at 102kg. Therefore, the British powerlifter will have the difficult task of achieving a new personal best in order to overtake the Nigerian in Mexico City.

Head to Head

PERSONAL INFO

Tijani: Nationality: Nigeria. Age: 35

Newson: Nationality: Great Britain: Age: 25

PARALYMPIC GAMES

Tijani: Games: 1 (2016)

Medals: 1 (1 silver)

Newson: Games: 2 (2012, 2016)

Medals: 2 (2 bronze)

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tijani: Will make her debut at Mexico City 2017

Newson: Will make her debut at Mexico City 2017

DID YOU KNOW?

Tijani: Reigning African champion after winning gold at Brazzaville 2015

Newson: Big supporter of English Premier League football club Arsenal

More information can be found on Mexico City 2017’s website.