Iraq Tops IPC Powerlifting Open Asian Championships

Athletes from Iraq used their upper body strength to give the country a first place position at the 2009 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Powerlifting Open Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Iraq's athletes brought in a total of ten medals - five gold, two silver and three bronze. Following Iraq in the gold medal tally was Jordon with four and Vietnam with three. Syria, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and India all took home two gold medals.

In the Men's +100kg category, Faris Al-Ajeeli from Iraq took the top position, with a result of 230kg. Al-Ajeeli was followed by Hamdo Sallat (202.5kg) from Syria, Ahmed Khamis Albaloushi (202.5kg) from United Arab Emirates, and Keun Bae Chung (192kg) from Korea. For the 90kg category, Mohammed Khamis Khalaf from United Arab Emirates had a result of 220kg. Khalaf was followed by Mohd Shamil Saad (MAS) with a result of 160kg, and Yee Khie Jong (MAS) with a result of 137.5kg.

In the Women's 56kg category, Iraq's Dhikra Saleem took first with a result of 87.5kg. Saleem was followed by Korea's Hyun Hee Choi (75kg), the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste's Liliana Silva Mesquita (60kg) and Korea's Keum Hee Kim (60kg). For the 82.5kg category, Sharifah Raudzah Syed Akil (MAS) took first with her result of 107.5kg. Huda Ali from Iraq also finished with a 107.5kg result, and was followed by Shaikha Alsuwaidi from United Arab Emirates with 60kg.

Taking place from 20-24 October, the 2009 IPC Powerlifting Open Asian Championships brought in athletes from a total of 14 different countries, competing for a total of 54 medals.