Paris 2024: Para powerlifting day three preview

Another four Paralympic champions will be crowned – two in afternoon followed by two more in the evening – on day three of Para Powerlifting competition at the La Chapelle Arena on Friday (6 September).

Here you can find the complete schedule and the main stars to follow at Paris 2024. 

Afternoon Champions 

The action begins with the men's up to 72kg final with Malaysian star Bonnie Bunyau Gustin to be in the spotlight. He will be the man to beat in the category as the Paralympic champion, reigning world champion and the world record holder - 231kg achieved at the Dubai 2023 Worlds. 

Ever since his first major titles at the World Championships in 2019, Gustin's stature has grown bigger and bigger as he added titles to his cabinet and it will be a treat to watch him trying to retain his Paralympic title at the La Chapelle Arena. 

Egypt's Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Mahmoud Attia and Italy's Donato Telesca, who finished second at the the Worlds, would be hoping to pose some challenge to the strong man from Malaysia. 

China's Hu Peng, the Rio 2016 silver medallist, will also be in the line-up.

Next up is the women's up to 61kg final, which should be a closely contested between Mexican legend Amalia Perez and Nigeria's Mark Onyinyechi. Perez is a four-time Paralympic gold medallist while Nigerian is the world record holder at 146kg from Dubai 2023 Worlds.

China's Cui Jianjin will also be hoping to win her first Paralympic gold with a strong show in Paris. 

Evening stars 

The women's up to 67kg will open the evening action with China's Tan Yujiao expected to dominate the third medal event of the day. She is the reigning Paralympic, world and the current world record holder at 141kg, achieved at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games last October.

The final event of the day, the men's up to 80kg final, should be thrilling one with Iranian Rostami Roohallah looking to retaining his title but should face a strong challenge from Chinese Gu Xiaofei.

Rostami is also the reigning world champion and holds the world record at 241kg since Bangkok 2021 World Cup. On the other hand, Xiaofei will be eager to win his first gold after two consecutive silver medals at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.