Dankers beats powerlifting world champion Al Juneidi

The Netherlands’ Patrique Dankers created waves at the World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday (2 March), beating Jordan’s world champion Mutaz Aljuneidi.

Both men registered just one good lift of 190kg in the men’s up to 88kg, but Dankers took the victory because of his lower bodyweight.

It was a new personal best for the Dutch European Open bronze medallist, and his best ever finish at a World Cup.

Aljuneidi, who will try to defend his world title at September’s World Para Powerlifting Championships in Mexico City, left with silver. Iraq’s Salam Alshakkakee (181kg) was third.

Mongolia’s Rio 2016 bronze medallist Sodnompiljee Enkhbayar put on a masterclass to take the win in the men’s up to 97kg.

He cleared all three lifts beginning with 210kg, before adding 5kg in the second and finishing on 220kg. Enkhbayar has moved up a weight category having competed previously in the men’s up to 88kg.

India’s Sachin Chaudhary (200kg) reached a career best performance with second. The battle for the final podium spot saw Ukraine’s Yurii Kupriianov (193kg) beat Iraq’s Abbas Naisan by just 1kg to claim bronze.

China’s Miaoyu Han, making her international debut, triumphed in the women’s up to 73kg.

The 28-year-old completed three good lifts on her way to gold finishing with 113kg, some 6kg clear of Egypt’s Iman Hafez (107kg) in second.

Turkmenistan’s Asian Open bronze medallist Mayagozel Ekeyeva (106kg) was third.

Egypt’s Tarek Wahdan (150kg) was the victor in the junior men’s up to 97kg. Ireland’s Britney Aranose (67kg) took the junior women’s up to 73kg gold.

Competition concludes on Friday (3 March) with the men’s up to 107kg and over 107kg and women’s up to 86kg, up to 79kg and over 86kg.

Live results and full live coverage is available at World Para Powerlifting’s website.

Updates and pictures will be posted to Facebook.com/parapowerlifting, Twitter (@powerlifting) and Instagram (@parapowerlifting).