Algiers 2018: One month to go

With the World Para Powerlifting African Championships only a month away, here are five things you should know before competition kicks off in Algiers, Algeria.

1. The 2018 African Championships will be held in the Algerian capital city of Algiers, between 10 and 12 August. It is a mandatory step for those powerlifters seeking qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

2. It will be the third edition of the African Championships, with the first taking place in Cairo, Egypt, in 2009, and the second in Brazzaville, Congo, in 2015.

3. The Harcha Hassan Arena, with a capacity for 8,000 spectators, will stage the competition. It hosts many indoor sporting events such as handball, basketball and volleyball.

4. Nigeria provides most of the world’s strongest Paralympians, many of whom are expected to attend the event such as Paralympic and world champions Lucy Ejike (women’s up to 61kg), Roland Ezuruike (men’s up to 54kg) and Paul Kehinde (men’s up to 65kg).

5. Egypt will be hopeful of celebrating gold through Sherif Osman (men’s up to 59kg) and Randa Mahmoud (women’s over 86kg). Hosts Algeria seek to reach the podium through Mexico City 2017 bronze medallist Hocine Bettir (men’s up to 65kg).

More information about Algiers 2018 is available on the official website.