Mexico City 2017: Lidiia Soloviova vs. Rehab Ahmed

Lidiia Soloviova may be the favourite in the women’s up to 50kg, but Rehab Ahmed has already shown her credentials as a gold medal contender for the Mexico City 2017 World Championships.

At last year’s Paralympics, the Ukrainian won the title thanks to a 107kg lift, but the Egyptian lifted only 3kg less to claim silver. Months prior to Rio 2016, Ahmed had even defeated Soloviova at a World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Three-time Paralympic gold medallist and one-time world champion Soloviova is the favourite on paper, but she will need to perform at her very best to beat her toughest rival in Mexico City.

Head to Head

PERSONAL INFO

Soloviova: Nationality: Ukraine. Age: 39

Ahmed: Nationality: Egypt. Age: 26

PARALYMPIC GAMES

Soloviova: Games: 5 (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)

Medals: 5 (3 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze)

Ahmed: Games: 1 (2016)

Medals: 1 (1 silver)

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Soloviova: Championships: 4 (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)

Medals: 4 (1 gold, 3 silvers)

Ahmed: Will make his debut at Mexico City 2017

DID YOU KNOW?

Soloviova: While at college, she tried powerlifting and without any preparation lifted 57kg

Ahmed: Won silver at her maiden Paralympic Games in Rio

More information can be found on Mexico City 2017’s website.