Powerlifting: 12 Facts for London 2012

The ExCel Arena will host Boccia, Paralympic Table Tennis, Paralympic Judo, Paralympic Powerlifting, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Fencing during the London 2012 Paralympic Games. © • Getty Images Amoge Victoria Nneji of Nigeria completes in the Powerlifting Women's - 67.50 KG Final at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games © • Getty Images Siamand Rahman (IRA) competing at the 2010 IPC Powerlifting World Championships in Malaysia © • NPC Malaysia

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Many believe Iran’s Siamand Rahman, 24, could produce the first-ever 300kg bench press at London 2012 in the men’s +100kg category.

1. Who, what, when?

Two hundred athletes will compete in the Powerlifting bench press competition across 10 men’s and 10 women’s weight categories from 30 August – 5 September.

2. Where?

The Powerlifting completion will take place at the ExCeL, the largest venue at the London 2012 Games, which is made up of five arenas.

3. Classification

In Powerlifting, athletes are classified by bodyweight alone, and those athletes with different impairments compete against each other for the same medals.

4. Field of play

Athletes compete on a 4x4m platform that is raised no higher than 50cm from the ground.

5. History

Powerlifting has been a part of the Paralympic programme since the Tokyo 1964 Games, and women made their debut in the sport at the Sydney 2000 Games.

6. Rules of the game

Powerlifters bench press the bar to their chest, hold it motionless and then press it upward to arm’s length while keeping their elbows locked. They are given three attempts, and the athlete who lifts the most weight wins.

7. Breaking the rules

Athletes can be penalized for using the incorrect technique in Powerlifting. This includes failing to start the lift within the allocated time, an athlete lifting his or her head from the bench or if his or her hands are more than 81 cm apart.

8. Say no to doping

Prior to London 2012, the IPC announced plans to try to test every Powerlifting athlete at least once before they compete in order to keep the sport clean.

9. One to Watch

Many believe Iran’s Siamand Rahman, 24, could produce the first-ever 300kg bench press at London 2012 in the men’s +100kg category.

10. Strongest woman

Nigeria’s Grace Anozie holds the top world record for women with a lift of 168kg in the +82.50kg category, which she set on 25 February this year in Dubai.

11. Beijing 2008

At the Beijing 2008 Games, host nation China topped the Powerlifting medal charts with nine gold and 14 overall medals. Egypt was second with four gold and 10 overall medals, followed by Nigeria with two gold and six overall medals.

12. Stronghold in Africa

Nine of the 20 current world records in the sport of Powerlifting are held by athletes from the continent of Africa.