Dubai 2023: Mohsin steers Iraq to first men’s team gold

For Iraq’s Rasool Mohsin, the Dubai 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships will remain special in many ways. 

First he returned to medal-winning ways after 13 years with a bronze in the men’s up to 80 kg and on Wednesday, then he propelled Iraq to clinch the gold in first men’s team event being held at a World Championships. 

Iraq defeated Ukraine with a total lift of 406.42 against 386.8 kg in the gold medal match. Colombia were the bronze medallists.

“I am so happy to win this medal. I want to give it all for the people of Iraq. It is our first participation in team event, and that makes the win even more special,” said Mohsin who lifted 210 kg to steer the team to gold.

After power-packed performances that included several new records, the team events – featuring men’s, women’s and mixed events was another runaway success as athletes returned to shine on the bench yet again.  

Emotional medal for Brazil

The men’s match was followed by the women’s event which was also held for the first time with China emerging winners.

Team China, which included Paralympic and world champions Guo Lingling and Zheng Feifei, accumulated a total of 313.376 kg while Brazil which had junior world champion Lara Lima in their ranks managed 293.7 kg. Ukraine finished in third place.

For the Brazil team, it was an emotional silver medal as one of their athletes Mariana D’Andrea, who claimed her first world title with a new world record in the women’s up to 79 kg, had to flew back home due to a tragic incident in her family.

“This silver medal is more than just a medal for us. This one is for Mariana [D’Andrea]. She is an important member of our team and all our support to her and her family,” said Lima as the team brought to the podium a signed T-shirt as a gift for D’Andrea with the message ‘this medal is also yours’ in Portuguese.

Gold for Ukraine 

Ukraine, meanwhile, saved the best for the last at the Dubai 2023 Worlds, finishing on top in the mixed team event. Ukraine upset a star-studded Jordan team 342.73 kg – 147.9 kg for the gold.

Mexico City 2017 Worlds bronze medallist Anton Kriukov lifted 200 kg in Ukraine’s final attempt while Jordan athletes including Paralympic and world champion in men’s up to 88 kg Abdelkareem Khattab faltered in their attempts. 

For Nataliia Oliinyk, it was a proud moment as she took a silver medal in the women’s up to 86 kg breaking the European record thrice.

“I am very happy with my performance here. But I want more, and I believe that I can achieve more. I want to win the Paralympic gold,” she said.   

Overall, China finished with 18 medals including nine gold, six silver and three bronze medals, followed by Iran and Nigeria with three and two gold medals each, respectively. 

Complete results from the Dubai 2023 Worlds can be found here.

Cairo next

The next edition of the Para Powerlifting World Championships will take place in Cairo, Egypt in 2025. The city is now gearing up to host the next World Cup of the season in November.

But before that, the best Para powerlifters from Asia will be seen in action at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China from October 22 to 28.