Cairo 2025: Egypt’s powerlifting queen Rehab Ahmed overcomes injury to win fifth gold

Four months after recovering from a chest injury (pectoralis major tears), Egyptian Powerlifting queen Rehab Ahmed clinched her fifth World Championships title on the fifth day of Elite competitions at Cairo 2025 on Wednesday (15 October).

And it’s a special one – her first one in a new weight category, women’s up to 61kg category, and that too at home. The medal was her also first since her Paris 2024 gold medal show last August. 

She already had three world titles – Mexico 2017, Nursultan 2019 and Tbilisi 2021 – in women’s up to 50 kg, one in women’s up to 55 kg in Dubai 2023. 

Amid crowd cheering at the New Capital Sports City Hall, Ahmed started her journey at Cairo 2025 with a big 125 kg – four kilograms more than what fetched her the Paralympic gold in Paris in women’s – 55kg.

The two-time Paralympic silver medallist improved it to 131 kg in her second round, enough to take the gold medal. Meanwhile, Nigerians Ifeoluwa Alake (128 kg) and Franca Anigbogu (126 kg) displayed a show of power and courage to take the silver and bronze, respectively.

"I thank God for this gold medal. I am very happy today. Because during the Paris 2024, I suffered a chest injury while on the bench press – still I managed a gold medal but couldn’t have a good number. For nine months, I stayed at home and was recovering from the injury," said the 34-year-old Ahmed, who trained for just four months before the Worlds.

“Today, I made a strong comeback with a good number of 131 kg. In Los Angeles, I want to set a new world record."

It’s a World Record! 🌍🔥

China’s Jianjin Cui breaks the world record twice in the women’s up to 67 kg — first with 145 kg, then topping it with 147 kg to claim her first-ever world title! 🇨🇳🏆#ParaPowerlifting #Cairo2025

📸 @hiroki.nishioka pic.twitter.com/qPxwyREDtZ

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) October 15, 2025

Jianjin’s record breaking effort

China made sure they continue to stay in the headlines as Cui Jianjin joined the ranks of their record setters Guo Lingling and Tan Yujiao.

Jianjin, who has three podium finishes in the World Championships since her debut in 2010, had waited for a long time for her first international gold medal and she nailed it in style. 

Amid strong Chinese supporters, the Paris 2024 silver medallist broke the world record twice – first with a powerful 145 kg lift in her second attempt, before improving it with 147 kg en route clinching her first Worlds title in women’s up to 67kg. 

Meanwhile, her arch-rival Onyinyechi Mark, the Paris 2024 Paralympic champion, stayed way behind of Jianjin going for 132 kg and 137 kg lifts to settle for silver. Paris 2024 silver Fatma Elyan was one kg behind Mark at 136 kg to take the bronze. 

“I’m so happy because I am finally a world champion. I have had so many second and third places finish in the past. I’m very proud because I beat my biggest rival from Nigeria here," said an elated Jianjin after her victory and recording-breaking efforts.  

“I feel calm and at peace because I trained for this result. I was prepared to break the world record during my training. I ‘m happy I could execute this accordingly.”

We have a new king in town. 👑

Türkiye’s Abdullah Kayapinar dethrones reigning Paralympic and world champion Omar Qarada in the men’s up to 49 kg, lifting 179 kg — one more than Qarada! 💪🔥

The world title crown is his! 🇹🇷🏆 pic.twitter.com/1Ue1TShMaB

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) October 15, 2025

Kayapinar’s first world title 

It was a sweet revenge for Turkiye’s Abdullah Kayapinar as he dethroned two-time Paralympic and world champion Omar Qarada for his first World Championship gold.

Kayapinar, the Paris 2024 silver medallist, lifted 179 kg in the third round to grab the gold in men’s 
upto 49 kg while Qarada settled for silver at 178 kg.

The fight for the top position began between Kayapinar and Qarada, whose campaigns were separated by three kilograms. The Turkish’s player faltered in the second round at 177 kg. But he came back in the third round while Qarada missed out at 180 kg. 

The new Turkish star also attempted to break the long-standing world record of Vietnam’s Le Van Cong – set at 183.5 in Mexico 2017- but it wasn’t meant to be this time. 

“After Paris 2024 Paralympics, I have been training very hard with my coach and I wished to break the world record here, but I couldn’t. I will try to break the record in future. 

“I’m very excited to win my first world title in Cairo.”

Meanwhile, a disappointed Qarada said: “I have arrived in Cairo aiming at a new world record. But maybe not this time. It was a strong competition.”

Van Cong, the world record holder and Dubai 2023 champion, stayed on the heels of the leaders but settled for a fourth place at 176 kg. 

Brazil’s Marco Tulio De Oliveira Cruz will return home from his debut World Championships without any complains. He made an impressive debut at the Worlds, getting all three clear lifts and the final one, 177 kg, fetching him the bronze.  

Live results from all the Cairo 2025 action are available on the World Para Powerlifting website. All categories will also be live streamed via the Paralympic Games YouTube channel.