Cairo 2025: Reigning Paralympic champion Elmenyawy strikes first gold for Egypt

There was emotion, there was pressure and there was glory in the end!

Reigning Paralympic champion Mohamed Elmenyawy delivered it when it mattered the most – winning his first World Championships title at home, in front of his family and friends on the second day of the Elite competitions at Cairo 2025 on Sunday (12 October). 

The 27-year-old home star returned to international stage one year after his incredible gold medal at Paris 2024 only to achieve his career-best 210 kg in the men’s up to 59 kg at home. 

Starting with 204 kg, three kilograms more than his Paris 2024 campaign, Elmenyawy went higher with successful lifts of 207 kg and 210 kg as his sisters and his father watched him in awe. 

“I’m over the moon!"

"This gold medal was very important for me, to win it in my home country as my family and friends watched me live competing for the first time. There were intense emotions, but I believed in my dream, in my training and the Almighty,” said the Dubai 2023 bronze medallist who patiently obliged his fans with photographs at the New Capital Sports Hall in Cairo. 

The local star, however, attempted to break the long-standing world record of his idol Sherif Osman on 212 kg set at the Rio2016 Paralympics, and nearly came close to it.

“It was my dream to break the world record of Sherif (Osman) but Inshallah (God willing), next time,” he said adding: 

“I will go step by step,” said 2022 African champion who bowed on the mat to thank the Almighty for his achievement.

🏆 The two-time Paralympic champion becomes a two-time world champion! 🇨🇳💪

Panpan Yan of China lifted 244kg on his third attempt to claim his second consecutive world title — this time in a different category from Dubai 2023 (men’s up to 97kg).#Cairo2025 #ParaPowerlifting pic.twitter.com/SFDkZS2M7l

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) October 12, 2025

Battle of champions

The men’s up to 88 kg final was about battle of Paralympic champions. 

Paris 2024 champion in men’s up to 80 kg, Roohallah Rostami has moved to this new category, and the reigning Paralympic champion Yan Panpan faced him for the first time.

There were also a few others waiting to challenge the Paralympic stars including home lifter Mohamed Elelfat who wanted to put up a good show at home. 

And it was an exciting contest. 

The Paris 2024 silver medallist Elelfat’s last medal in Worlds was four years back at Tbilisi 2021 in men’s up to 80 kg and he made sure he wins it again at his home championships. He lifted a 227 kg to take the bronze medal. 

China's Ye Jixiong, the 2017 and 2019 world champion, also stayed in the medal contention only to finish in fourth place on 226 kg. 

Who can relate?

📸 @Hiroki_Nishioka #Cairo2025 #ParaPowerlifting pic.twitter.com/K3fiAS1ly9

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) October 12, 2025

Exciting contest

But the fight for the gold was between Rostami and Panpan, with both starting with a heavy 235 kg in first attempt. 

The Chinese failed the second attempt while Iranian made a successful lift of 243 kg. 

The fate turned around in the third round as Panpan successfully lifted 244 kg while Rostami missed it to settle for second place. This is Panpan’s first world title in the category – he won the gold in men’s up to 97 kg in Dubai 2023.

“I was little bit nervous as there were new players in the category. I haven’t faced the Iranian before, but my coach comforted me and I focused on just my game,” said the 35-year-old Chinese.

“After the second and third lift, I still thought that Rostami will win it. So, the win came as a big surprise.”

Italian Donato Telesca, the Paris 2024 bronze medallist and Dubai 2023 Worlds silver medallist in men’s up to 72 kg, put up a strong show but wasn’t still enough as he settled for fifth place with a lift of 222 kg.

Esther Oyema is back! 🔥

The Nigerian wins her first World Championships title in 11 years after lifting 125kg in the women’s up to 55kg category!

Dancing her way into the new Paralympic cycle. 💃

📸 @Hiroki_Nishioka / WPPO#Cairo2025 #ParaPowerlifting pic.twitter.com/8L5auSlkSu

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) October 12, 2025

Oyema regains worlds title 

Nigeria claimed their second gold in as many days as Rio 2016 silver medallist Esther Oyema returned to winning ways in a World Championships since Dubai 2015 ending a 11-year wait. 

Oyema, the 43-year-old, put up a clinical show with three clear lifts with the final one 125 kg fetching her the long-awaited gold. Paris 2024 silver medallist Besra Duman stayed close on the heels of the leader finishing on 121 kg for the second place, just one kilogram ahead of Russia’s Tamara Podpalnaia. 

“I’m so happy – it is not easy to come back and win a medal. The secret behind this medal is my coach as she knows the technicalities, she knows my strength, what I can do,” said the Nigerian in jubilation.

“I want to break the world record – it is just the beginning.”

Great Britain’s Olivia Broome, the Dubai 2023 world champion in women’s up to 50 kg. managed a fourth-place finish after moving her category.

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.

The Elite competition continues until 18 October with three events lined up for Monday (13 October) with athletes competing in men’s up to 72 kg, men’s up to 65 kg and women’s up to 73 kg weight categories. 

The medallists
 

Men's Up to 88 kg

Gold: Panpan Yan (CHN) 
Silver: Roohallah Rostami (IRI) 
Bronze: Mohamed Elelfat (EGY)

Men's Up to 59 kg

Gold: Mohamed Elmenyawy (EGY) 
Silver: Mustafa Radhi (IRQ)
Bronze: Yongkai Qi (CHN)

Women's Up to 55 kg

Gold: Esther Oyema (NGR) 
Silver: Besra Duman (TUR) 
Bronze: Tamara Podpalnaia (RUS)