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Paris 2024: Mighty Lingling shatters records on way to gold
China's Guo Lingling shatters world record twice on way to winning her first women's up to 45kg Paralympic gold even as Kazakhstan's David Degtyarev retains men's up to 54kg gold at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena on day one 04 Sep 2024
It was a show of power, confidence and sheer determination.
China's Guo Lingling shattered the world record twice to win her first Paralympic gold in women's up to 45kg event, mesmerizing the cheering crowd on the opening day of the Para powerlifting action at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena.
Lingling, the world record holder in both women's up to 41kg and up to 45kg events, delivered as expected on the bench - she broke the Paralympic record as she began with 113kg, before improving the world record twice - lifting 122kg and 123 kg on way to winning the gold.
Great Britain's Zoe Newson took the silver with a decent 109kg and her second Paralympic medal in the category after the Rio 2016 bronze.
Nazmiye Muratli, the Rio 2016 -41kg and London -40kg champion, couldn't be much happier to get her first Paralympic medal in women -45kg.
"The atmosphere of the audience is so great, and I feel very excited about setting a world record," said an elated Lingling after her record breaking show.
"The secret is just sticking to powerlifting and being persistent with it.
"If someone would break my Paralympic and world record, it would be fine because it is good for the competition. That means we can make progress."
Degtyarev gets his second
Later, Kazakhstan's David Degtyarev retained his men's up to 54kg gold medal with three successful attempts at the La Chapelle Arena. The Kazakh sealed the gold with 188kg lift which was three kilos ahead of Cuba's Pablo Amirez Barrientos, the Parapan American Games silver medallist who won his first Paralympic medal at the Paris 2024 Games.
"I'm very happy. After Tokyo (2020 Paralympic Games) I prepared myself non-stop all three years, aiming to win again. God was with me and with his help I was able to win today," said Degtyarev.
China's Yang Jinglang had impressed with his silver medal shows at Dubai 2023 and Tbilisi 2021 Worlds and on Wednesday, he secured his first Paralympic medal - the bronze medal with a lift of 179kg.
Competition at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena continue on Thursday with four finals - women's up to 50 and up to 55kg, men's up to 59kg and up to 65kg events.
