China's magnificent seven and surprising Jordan shine in Japan

After five days of extraordinary performances, emotional moments, surprises and world records, Para powerlifting wrapped up on Monday at Tokyo 2020 with a new country topping the medals table.

China claimed at least one gold every day at the Tokyo International Forum to finish in first place of the medal count with seven golds and six silver. It was the first time the Chinese topped the rankings since the home Games at Beijing 2008.

With the seven gold in Tokyo, China also climbed to first place in the all-time Para powerlifting medals standings in Paralympic Games with 27, five more than Egypt. Nigeria kept the third position, now with 21 golds in history.

After finishing first at London 2012 and Rio 2016, the Nigerian had to settle for second in Japan with three gold, one silver and two bronze. 

Jordan pulled a surprise with its best-ever performance to take third place with three gold medals. The team climbed eight positions compared to Rio 2016. 

Jamil Elshebli, Mohammad Khattab and Omar Qarada rewrote Jordan’s Paralympic history as the country had only one gold medal to date when Tokyo 2020 began.

Second place at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, third place in Rio five years ago, Egypt failed to take a gold medal in Japan and only managed an 11th place-finish. 

However the six medals (four silver and two bronze) would still place the Egyptian team in a shared-second position with Nigeria by total of medals behind China’s 13.

One of Egypt’s medals came with Fatma Omar, her sixth in Paralympics. Alongside Mexico’s Amalia Perez they are the most familiar faces on Para powerlifting podium in Games history. 

Twenty-four teams achieved at least one podium, two more compared to Rio 2016. Colombia, El Salvador and Venezuela took their first-ever medal in Para powerlifting.

Other four countries joined Jordan and also celebrated their first Paralympic gold in the Para powerlifting: Brazil, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia.

The next Paralympic Games will take place in Paris in 2024 with Para powerlifting set to be hosted at the La Chapelle Arena, in the north of the French capital.