Cairo 2025: China shine in team events, top medals as 11th edition concludes

China clinched gold medals in men’s and mixed team events and topped the medals standings as the Cairo 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championships concluded after 10 days of thrilling action at the New Capital City Hall on Saturday (18 October).

This was the first time the World Championships were hosted in Egypt and in Africa. As many as 537 athletes from 70 nations, including all Paralympic champions from the Paris 2024 Games, competed in Cairo marking the beginning of the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.

Overall, in the Elite medals table, China finished on top with 13 medals that had eight gold medals followed by Nigeria and Iran with three and two gold medals, respectively. Hosts Egypt also shone on the podium twice in their overall five medals to sign off in fourth place.

After winning a close thrilling tie against Iraq in the head-to-head encounter, China men – comprising Paralympic medallists Yang Jinglang, Qi Yongkai and newcomer Zhang Pingkang - defeated Cuba 391.81- 140.48. Yongkai and Jinglang produced powerful lifts of 180 kh and 170 kg, respectively. For Cuba, only Pablo Ramirez Barrientos, the Paris 2024 Paralympic silver medallist, managed a successful lift of 181 kg in the first round. 

An elated Qi Yongkai, who won bronze in the men's up to 59 kg individual event, said: “I like this game format because we play head-to-head. It’s more exciting since we don’t know the result until the very end. This win is for the team — I’m happy to be part of it, to work together, and to celebrate together.”

Pingkang, who impressed with a silver medal finish in his debut in men's up to 72 kg, said he felt the pressure. “I’m happy to have contributed to the team’s victory — winning gold after my individual silver. There was some pressure, as I didn’t want the team to lose because of me. The camaraderie within the Chinese team is truly amazing.”

In the mixed team final, Jinglang combined with Gu Xiaofei to put up a powerful show lifting 167 kg and 175 kg, respectively as China thrashed Uzbekistan by 367.76 – 104.07 points. Uzbekistan players managed just one successful lift out of three with Muslima Nuriddinova lifting 121 kg in second round. Egypt, comprising home favourite Rehab Ahmed, claimed their third bronze in the day, this time beating Brazil.     

Brazil win gold! 🇧🇷

Their first gold in Cairo (Elite & Team) after defeating Uzbekistan in the Women’s Mixed Team Event! 🥇

🥉 Egypt take bronze.

Team Brazil:
Mariana D’Andrea: 135kg
Lara De Lima: 101kg
Tayana Medeiros: 127kg#Cairo2025 #ParaPowerlifting @BraParalimpico pic.twitter.com/gDLGg1AfxZ

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) October 18, 2025

Brazil women emerge champions 

Brazil women’s team including reigning Paralympic champions Mariana D’Andrea and Tayana Madeiros made sure the team return home with a gold medal. 

After settling for silver medals in their individual events, the Brazilian Paralympic stars came together to put up strong show and beat Uzbekistan by 312.94-214.03 points. Egypt took yet another bronze beating Indonesia.

Trailing 211.93-214.03 points after two rounds, Uzbekistan’s Rukhshona Uktamova faltered in the final lift of 125 kg only as Madeiros successfully lifted 127 kg to win the gold medal match. Earlier, D’Ándrea had lifted the heaviest weight in the women’s team finals – 135 kg in the opening round.

“I’m very happy. Last World Championships, it was very difficult for me with the loss of my father. I had to leave, and the team needed to put other girls to replace me and today we are here with the gold medal. I am happy to be part of this important moment for the team and like all the medals, this one is for my dad,” said an elated D’Ándrea as Madeiros and Lara joined her saying that it was an important moment for the team and they went all out to grab first gold medal for the team in the championships.