Tbilisi 2025 World Cup review: Jintcharadze and familiar names shine in season opener

An incredible show of power and courage was on display as the first World Cup of the season was held in Tbilisi, Georgia over three days (10–12 May).

Moments of pride and glory emerged at the competition venue as 134 athletes from 25 nations including Paris 2024 heroes began the season and the new Paralympic cycle in style. 

Home hero

Tbilisi has been a familiar venue for the big names much like the home star. Leading the challenge, Paris 2024 bronze medallist Akaki Jintcharadze made it a super Sunday for the local fans on the second day of competitions. 

He claimed the men’s over 107kg gold with a successful 240kg lift in his second attempt, continuing the momentum from Paris. Jintcharadze’s effort was better than Jordan’s Tokyo 2020 medallist Jamil Elshebli, who settled 10 kg less than the Georgian. 

Jintcharadze’s golden moment on home soil was surely one of the best moments of the World Cup.

Paralympic champion wins in Tbilisi! 🥇

Omar Qarada's first round lift of 165kg was enough to secure a victory in the season opener.#Tbilisi2025 | #WorldCup | #ParaPowerlifting | @asianparalympic pic.twitter.com/ctHkweQlqR

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) May 10, 2025

The big winners

Leading the star-studded list of winners were Jordan’s double Paralympic gold medallist Abdelkareem Khattab and Omar Qarada, who expectedly reaffirmed their status in Tbilisi yet again.

Memories of the World Championships 2021 must have revived when Khattab successfully lifted 240kg in his first attempt, enough for the gold medal in men’s up to 97kg event. The Jordanian great though showed just a glimpse of his power this time, settling for a lesser weight – Khattab holds the world record in the category set at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at 270kg. 

Qarada, too, lived up to the billing and started the season with a lift of 165kg to take the men’s up to 49kg gold medal. 

There was another Jordanian who stole the show on the opening day. Mohammad Radaeda (170kg-lift) secured his victory in the men's up to 54kg category ahead of Tokyo 2020 medallist Axel Bourlon (166kg-lift).

Among other top names, Paris 2024 Paralympic silver medallist Anton Kriukov clinched one of Ukraine’s two gold medals in Tbilisi. Kriukov’s 230kg-lift in the final attempt sealed the gold for him in the men’s up to 107kg category.

However, compatriot Yurii Babynets, also a Paris 2024 medallist, had to settle for silver behind neutral Para athlete Magomed Dzhamalov (222kg) in men’s up to 88kg category.

El Salvador’s Tokyo 2020 medallist Herbert Aceituno put up a powerful show – a successful 190kg lift in final attempt – to win the men’s up to 59kg category in Tbilisi. He also has a bronze medal from the Tbilisi 2021 Worlds to his name.

Overall, Jordan's four gold medals were matched by Uzbekistan – thanks to the efforts of Sanjar Ollaberganov (men's up to 65kg), Sherali Akhmedov (men's up to 80kg), Umida Rajapova (women's up to 41kg) and Kudratoy Toshpulatova (women's up to 67kg).

Paralympians Souhad Ghazouani of France and Asma Issa of Jordan win in the women’s up to 73kg & 79kg categories!

Issa = 125kg 🏋️‍♀️
Ghazouani = 126kg 🏋️‍♀️#Tbilisi2025 | #WorldCup | #ParaPowerlifting pic.twitter.com/TFVR3ePKKa

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) May 11, 2025

Strong as ever

In other women’s contest, France's five-time Paralympic medallist Souhad Ghazouani sent a strong warning to her rivals finishing on top in the up to 73kg category.

Her final lift of 126kg saw her emerge victorious at the venue where she claimed the European title three years ago. Kazakhstan’s Raushan Koishibayeva, a Rio 2016 medallist in the women's up to 67kg, settled for silver with a lift of 100kg.

Asian Para Games medallist Asma Issa, meanwhile, ensured Jordan was on top in women’s events taking the gold in the up to 79kg with an effort of 125kg

Results from the Tbilisi 2025 world Cup can be found here.

What’s next?

With the World Championships lined up in Cairo this October, a magnificent start to the season in Tbilisi, Georgia was satisfactory. 

The World Para Powerlifting World Cup will next head to the east Asian county of China for the Beijing 2025 World Cup from 22-25 June.