About Para powerlifting

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Jose de Jesus Castillo

Jose Castillo Castillo won bronze in the up to 97kg at Rio 2016

ⒸAlexandre Loureiro/Getty Images

Jose Castillo Castillo won bronze in the up to 97kg at Rio 2016 © • Alexandre Loureiro/Getty Images

The 2017 Para Sport Festival will feature both the World Para Powerlifting Championships and World Para Swimming Championships.

Two of the biggest Para sport competitions will be held together for the first time in history in Mexico City from 2-8 December.

The 2017 World Para Powerlifting Championships will be the first major competition at the start of the Tokyo 2020 cycle.

The Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium is located in the same building as the swimming competitions, allowing fans and the media to experience both events and enjoy the festival of Para sport.

The competition venue

The Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium is an indoor arena that hosted volleyball competitions at the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games with a seating capacity of 3,900 spectators.

The venue is being fully upgraded to host the 2017 World Para Powerlifting Championships, helping to leave a legacy behind in the city.

History of the World Para Powerlifting Championships

The 2017 World Para Powerlifting Championships will be the seventh edition of the event, and will be held alongside the World Para Swimming Championships.

2014, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The powerlifting World Championships returned to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the second time.

Nigeria, Egypt and China were the top three countries on the medals table, with Nigeria leading with five gold, one silver and one bronze.

Iran’s Siamand Rahman gained the nickname of the World Strongest Paralympian, lifting a then world record of 285.5kg in the men’s over 107kg.

2010, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The World Championships returned to Kuala Lumpur and attracted 292 athletes from 49 countries. Multiple world records were broken at the Titiwangsa Stadium in Kuala Lumpur’s Titiwangsa Park.

2006, Busan, Republic of Korea

Less than 10 years after the first World Championships were held in Uppsala, Sweden, the numbers of athletes entering nearly doubled in size by this point, including significant increases in female participation. 12 world records were broken in Busan across junior and senior competitions.

2002, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The third World Championships started somewhat of a fascination between powerlifting and Kuala Lumpur. With 234 athletes competing in the city’s badminton club from 49 countries, Kuala Lumpur begins its love affair with powerlifting in this year.

1998, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

269 athletes, including women for the first time, gathered in the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates for the second World Championships.

1994, Uppsala, Sweden

The first World Championships in the sport’s history were held in Uppsala, Sweden and featured 137 athletes.