Historic first for India as Dubai 2023 kicks off

The Dubai 2023 Para Powerlifting World Championships kicked off with powerful shows from juniors including former champions who displayed grit and strength to emerge winners at a familiar destination. 

A total of 58 junior powerlifters were in action at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City at the Rookie & Next Gen Worlds on Tuesday (22 August) highlighted by several regional records, indicating that the young stars are ready for transition. 

Uzbekistan topped the Rookie & Next Gen Worlds medals table with seven medals that included four gold, one silver and two bronze, followed by Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan with three golds each. 

The Indian stars 

While there were several individual firsts, Indian junior powerlifters Honey Dabas and Rahul Jograjiya made it a historic day for India clinching the gold and silver medals in men’s up to 72kg. 

Dabas claimed the nation’s first ever gold with lifts of 132 kg and then 135 kg. His compatriot Jograjiya followed with a lift of 132kg for the silver in the fiercely contested -72 kg junior weight category. 

Dabas was ecstatic after his victorious show and thanked his support staff for their continuous support and efforts. 

“My next goal is to win a medal at the Paralympics. I will be competing another year in the junior, a hoping to make it to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics,” said the Delhi-based Dabas who also expects to qualify for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games later this year. 

New champions 

From Bahrain 2021 Asian Youth Para Games to Dubai 2023 Worlds Adnan Noorsaeed came way to win the first international gold for himself on Tuesday in the men’s up to 49 kg category.

Noorsaeed, who started with a successful lift of 147 kg, finished with a 152 kg in his final lift – he went for a Powerlift in his fourth attempt but was unsuccessful. The Saudi powerlifter finished 22 kg ahead of the second placed Hady Sawamil Mashrafy (130 kg) from Egypt. 

“I have been waiting for this gold medal. It’s a big day for me today and have boosted my confidence for my big dreams – Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games and the Paris 2024 Paralympics.” 

“I hope I can work harder and achieve my dreams,” said the 20-year-old who has a bronze from the Tbilisi 2023 World Cup. 

Stamping dominance 

Meanwhile, Brazil’s Lara Aparecida de Lima yet again stamped her dominance in junior women’s up to 41 kg as she displayed a show of power and grit to defend her junior world title.

“The stage had some changes and the bench was closer to the audience. I could feel the energy from the public at the same time I could concentrate on my lift. It was important to experience all that before my main event,” said 
de Lima who returns to competition on Wednesday (23 August) in the Elite Worlds.

Egyptian Islam Mohamed, silver medallist in men's up to 72kg category in Tbilisi 2021 Worlds, emerged winner with a powerful lift of 170kg in men's up to 80 kg.

Complete results from the Rookie & Next Gen are available here.

What’s next?

The Elite World Championships begin on Wednesday (23) with Paralympic and world champions in action for the next eight days. 

The first day’s action will feature men’s up to 49 kg, men’s up to 65 kg, women’s up to 41kg, up to 45 kg and up to 50 kg.