Sport week: Top moments in powerlifting

The world's strongest Paralympian, Nigerian female stars and Vietnam's first gold medal among the sport's highlights 28 Apr 2020

a male Para powerlifter smiles with his medal

The late Siamand Rahman of Iran with the gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games following his remarkable 310kg lift

ⒸGetty Images

By World Para Powerlifting

There are plenty of great moments to remember when we talk about Para powerlifting at the Paralympic Games. Here are five of them:

1 – The late Siamand Rahman of Iran created history by becoming the first Paralympian to lift over 300kg with a gold medal in the men’s over 107kg lifting 310kg – the equivalent of a Siberian tiger.

2 – Taoying Fu won the women’s up to 75kg at London 2012, joining Haidon Zhang as China’s most successful powerlifter with four golds. Their country tops powerlifting’s all-time medals table.

3 – After equalling Zhang's and Fu’s record of four Paralympic golds (from Sydney 2000 to London 2012), Egypt’s Fatma Omar took silver in the women’s up to 61kg at Rio 2016 to become the most decorated lifter at Paralympic Games.

4 – Nigeria topped the medals table at Rio 2016 with six golds – four of them through female powerlifters: Bose Omolayo, Josephine Orji, Lucy Ejike and the late Ndidi Nwosu.

5 – Le Van Cong gave Vietnam the first gold medal at a Paralympic Games with his victory in the men’s up to 49kg category at Rio 2016.