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Paris 2024 review: Cui Zhe turns silver streak into gold as China dominate again
In five days of Para powerlifting at La Chapelle Arena, China top the medal table, finishing first in six of the 20 events followed by Iran in second and Egypt in third; Mexico's Amalia Perez becomes the only Para powerlifter with seven Paralympic medals one at every Games since her debut at Sydney 2000 11 Sep 2024
Four-time silver medallist Cui Zhe ended her spell of Paralympic Games powerlifting second places to claim the women’s up to 41kg gold medal at La Chapelle Arena.
"I've felt that I've had a mission that I've never completed," CUI said. "To become a Paralympic champion has always been my target and I've always had faith in getting it done."
Contrary to Cui, Amalia Perez had won four consecutive gold medals coming into Paris 2024 but had to settle for bronze in the women’s up to 61kg class.
Her third place means the 51-year-old has finished on the podium at every Games since her debut at Sydney 2000, making her the only Para powerlifter in the world with seven medals.
"This (medal) is a symbol for enthusiasm, discipline, power and perseverance, and most of all, for the passion I have for the sport," Perez said.
In five days of Para powerlifting, China topped the medal table, finishing first in six of the 20 events and taking a total of 15 medals. Iran finished in second place, with Egypt in third.
Abdelkareem Mohmmad Khattab of Jordan won by the largest margin. The world record holder and Tokyo 2020 champion in the men’s up to 88kg secured his second Paralympic title, lifting 41kg more than runner-up Ye Jixiong of China in the men’s up to 97kg.
Khattab said his next aim is a gold medal and world record in the over 107kg category, something he believes Jordanian cooking can help with.
"I need to put on much more weight," Khattab said. "I need to eat more mansaf."
Brazil continued the Paralympic success with Mariana D'Andrea defending her gold in the women's up to 73kg - and dedicating it to her later father -, followed by Tatyana Medeiro's triumph in the women's up to 86kg on the last day of the Games.
History was made in the men's up to 80kg as Hadi Darvish became the first member of the Refugee Paralympic Team to compete in Para powerlifting at the Paralympic Games. Darvish finished sixth in a highly-competitive category among nine participants. Iran's Roohallah Rostami won gold setting a new world record (242 kg).
Quote of the Games
"I don't like using 'D, 'I' and 'S' in my ability. I'd rather use 'T', 'H', 'I' and 'S' in my ability - this ability. Because I believe that where there is disability, there is ability. I see it as strength."
Women’s up to 41kg silver medallist Esther Nworgu of Nigeria, whose doctor told her two days before her Games debut that she should not compete, on how she does not let anyone set her limits.
All Paris 2024 medallists and daily Para powerlifting reviews can be found below:
Paris 2024 Day 1 morning review
