Dubai 2023: Emotional victories for Onyinyechi and Degtyarev

Tears rolled down as Onyinyechi Mark roared in celebration; she hugged her coach and kissed the mat after bettering her own world record en route clinching the gold medal at the Dubai 2023 Para Powerlifting World Championships on Sunday (27 August).

Mark, the Tbilisi 2021 Worlds bronze medallist, appeared stronger than ever to break her own world record set at the Cairo 2022 African Open Championships at 143 kg, not once but twice at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor city.

Focused and determined, the 22-year-old from Nigeria had all three clear lifts as she started her campaign in the women’s up to 61 kg with 135 kg, only to better her own world record in her third attempt at 144 kg, and then set a new mark 146 kg.

Nur-Sultan 2019 junior world champion Fatma Korany from Egypt claimed her first elite medal taking the silver at 122 kg, same weight lifted by China’s Cui Jiajin, the Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games champion, for the bronze. 

“I am super excited and happy to get my first World Championships gold, said Mark who is also the reigning African champion.”

“I prepared a lot, trained a lot because I know good work pays off and made sure today, I am here. I am grateful to God and my coach who always supported and motivated me that I can do it.”

Sharing her plans, the promising star said: “I want to train more. The world is looking on me now after this Worlds medal so, I will be training hard and by the grace of God, I want to win the gold at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.”

First gold for Kazakhstan 

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan picked up their first gold medal in the elite competition of the Dubai 2023 Worlds, thanks to the efforts of Paralympic and world champion David Degtyarev. He claimed his second Worlds title in a row in the men’s up to 54kg.     

“It’s a very hard and emotional victory. It was great to compete against some good rivals,” said Degtyarev who lifted 180 kg in his final attempt to finish ahead of China’s Yang Jinglang (179 kg) and Nigeria’s Roland Ezuruike (178 kg).     

The first-two positions were in fact retained by Tbilisi 2021 medallists Degtyarev and Jinglang, as they went a few kilos higher in two years.

“I want to work hard and prepare well in the coming days to give my best Paris 2024 Paralympic Games,” he added.

China on top

China continued to lead the medals table with six gold medals, with Yan Panpan winning the nation’s no. 6 gold in the men’s up to 97 kg on Sunday. China is followed by Nigeria and Iran with two gold medals each.

In a fierce contest, the fight for the top place began right from the first round – with lead exchanging between Panpan, Uzbekistan’s Farhod Umirzakov and Iran’s defending champion Seyedhamed Solhipouravanji.

Eventually it was the Chinese Panpan who finished on top with 233 kg in his Powerlifts, after all three clear lifts, ahead of Umirzakov (232 kg) and Solhipouravanji (226 kg).

The Dubai 2023 Para Powerlifting World Championships is streamed live on World Para Powerlifting Facebook channel and Paralympics YouTube channel.

Complete schedule and results of the competitions are available here.