Mexico City 2017: Top Asian lifters

With less than a month until the World Championships kick off in Mexico City, Asian powerlifters are ready for another showdown. Here are five of the strongest:

Tan Yujiao (CHN): “I am proud of myself, because only I know how much effort was spent to make it as an athlete. While making the accomplishment, I lost much time with my family and endured the loneliness and hardship.” The Rio 2016 champion seeks to defend her world title from 2014 in the women's up to 67kg.

Le Van Cong (VIE): Won Vietnam´s first Paralympic title in history following a fantastic performance in the men's up to 49kg by achieving a world record lift of 183kg, more than three times his body weight. “Nothing can break you unless you let it, push your limits and change your life forever,” he said.

Liu Lei (CHN): “If I reach one of the first three places, that is good enough for me,” said Liu. But if the three-time Paralympic gold medallist is in top form, it will be almost impossible for his rivals to dethrone the man who is also the reigning double world champion.

Mohammed Khalaf (UAE): Won one of the United Arab Emirates' two gold medals at last year's Paralympic Games. Thanks to a 220kg lift, Khalaf topped the podium in the men's up to 88kg, ahead of Brazil's Evanio Da Silva (210kg) and Mongolia's Sodnompiljee Enkhbayar (210kg).

Siamand Rahman (IRI): The world's strongest Paralympian made history at Rio 2016 by breaking the 300kg barrier after lifting unprecedented 310kg in the men's over 107kg. With two Paralympic golds and one world title under his belt, Rahman is still hungry for further glory.

More information can be found on the Mexico City 2017 website.