Beijing 2025 preview: Paris 2024 champions headline field in China's World Cup debut

Beijing is set to make history as it hosts the nation’s first ever WPPO World Cup over the next three days (22 to 24 June) with a plenty of Paralympic medallists returning to competition since the Paris 2024 Games.

A total of 161 athletes from 23 nations will be in action at the at the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities (CASPD) aiming to prepare themselves for the much-anticipated Cairo 2025 World Championships scheduled for October.

The highlight of the Beijing 2025 World Cup - the second of the four World Cups scheduled in the World Para Powerlifting calendar - is going to be the local stars who will kick-off the season at home. 

Formidable home team 

China dominated the Paralympic Games last summer winning 15 medals that had six gold medals and several record-breaking performances. 

All of their six Paris 2024 champions along with a few other medallists will be returning to competition this year in China's first-ever World Cup in Beijing. 

The strong home side will be led by Paris 2024 superstars Cui Zhe and Guo Lingling, who aim to kick-off the season on a commanding fashion. The home fans should expect a spectacular show this weekend as the duo perform on the opening day!

Zhe is a five-time Paralympic medallist who finally took the elusive gold in Paris after four consecutive silvers, while Lingling -Tokyo 2020 champion in women’s -41kg - shattered the world record twice to win her first Paralympic gold in women's up to 45kg event at Paris.

Three-time Paralympic champion in women’s up to 67kg, Tan Yujiao will be seen competing in a higher category –women’s up to 73kg – aiming to extend her domination in the new division.

Instead, it will be Paris 2024 silver medallist in women’s upto 61kg Cui Jianjin, who will be up in action in women’s -67kg. 

Among others, reigning Paralympic champion Han Miaoyu will be ready to put up a powerful show at home in women’s up to 79kg while Zheng Feifei, the silver medallist in Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2020, will be ones to watch out for in women up to 86kg.

Feifei had settled for the silver in Paris 2024 after a dramatic contest with Brazilian Tayana Medeiros with the latter winning the Paralympic gold in the very last seconds. 

With the World Championship looming, the Chinese will be eager to start the season on a winning note. 

📞Beijing calling 🇨🇳
Beijing 2025 World Cup 🗓️22 - 25 Jun#ParaPowerlifting @asianparalympic pic.twitter.com/0UyVlUjmwd

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) May 22, 2025

Men’s line-up 

China’s men’s line-up appears just as strong as their women’s, with their two gold medallists from Paris 2024 – Yi Zou (men’s up to 65kg) and Yan Panpan (men’s up to 88kg) to lead the men’s charge.

Panpan will however compete in an upper weight category – men’s up to 97kg – and would be hoping for a gold medal in the absence of Paralympic champion and world record holder from Jordan, Abdelkareem Khattab.

Similarly, Paris 2024 silver medallist Ye Jixiong will aim to excel in new weight catgeory – men’ s up to 88kg, one division lesser than his usual men’s up to 97kg event.

In other events, the home squad should expect to have some medal winning performances as well with Paris 2024 bronze medallist Jinglang Yan (men’s up to 54kg), silver medallists Qi Yongkai (men’s up to 59kg) and Gu Xiaofei (men’s up to 80kg) also in the squad.

International stars 

Malaysia’s Para p

The road to the @LA28 Paralympic Games begins in Cairo, Egypt! 🇪🇬

Mark your calendars 🗓️ and join us for an exciting 2025 season.

🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/kwMaHkdPJ7#ParaPowerlifting #Cairo2025 @Paralympics pic.twitter.com/P6BAyuYUDx

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) January 14, 2025

owerlifting icon Bonnie Bunyau Gustin will be the favourite in the men’s up to 72kg, aiming to reaffirm his status in his first event of the season.

Gustin will have the company of his brother Bryan Anak at the World Cup competing in the men’s up to 88kg, which will have veteran Mohammed Khamis Khalaf, a two-time Paralympic champion in the line-up. 

Mongolia’s Sodnompiljee Enkhbayar, the Paris 2024 silver medallist and gold medallist at Tokyo 2020, will be also looking to set the tone early with a victory in the heavyweight - men’s up to 107kg.

In the women’s events, Thailand’s first Para powerlifting Paralympic medallist in 16 years Kamolpan Kraratpet, Thailand will be in action 

Tbilisi stars 

Georgia’s first ever Paralympic medallist Akaki Jintcharadze had opened the season in style – winning the men’s over 107kg gold medal at home and would be hoping to continue the momentum in Beijing as well. 

Among others, El Salvador’s Tokyo 2020 medallist Herbert Aceituno will be hoping to win his second men’s up to 59kg gold of the season after his golden show in Tbilisi.  

You can follow the competition updates and results from the Beijing 2025 World Cup here.