Para powerlifting

Para powerlifting
Highest governing body
Characteristics
Mixed-sexYes
TypeIndoor
Presence
Paralympic1984
pictogram used for Powerlifting at the Summer Paralympics

Para powerlifting is an adaptation of the sport of powerlifting for athletes with disabilities. The only discipline in Paralympic powerlifting is the bench press. The sport is governed by the International Paralympic Committee (World Para Powerlifting) and is open to anyone with a minimum level of disability who can extend their arms within 20° of full extension during a lift. Powerlifting has been competed at the Summer Paralympics since 1984. Major competitions include the Paralympic Games and the biennial World Para Powerlifting Championships, and well as the annual World Cup, triennial regional Championships, and Grand Prix events.

History at the Paralympics

Weightlifting made its Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 1964 Paralympic Games, allowing only males with spinal cord injuries to compete. Powerlifting was introduced at the 1984 Stoke Mandeville & New York Games and ever since then it has been included in the Paralympic programme. The first Paralympic powerlifting competition took place in New York, USA and featured athletes from six countries. At the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games, weightlifting was removed from the programme, while powerlifting remained with 25 competing countries. At the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games, the number of participating countries increased to 58.

The women’s category was introduced in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Para powerlifting was one of the first Paralympic sports to achieve complete gender parity, with an equal divide between male and female participation during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Best and total medals

In 2022, WPPO initiated a new "total lift" medal, awarded for the sum of all good lifts from the three attempts.

Before 2022 medal awarded only in Best lifts. Since 2022 medal awarded in best lifts and total lifts. The World Para-powerlifting 2022 Asia Oceania Open Championships was held in Pyeongtaek, Korea from 15 – 20 June 2022. This was the first competition in history, in addition to the best lift, a total of three lifts were also awarded medals.

Ages

Source:

From 2002 to 2021: Junior (U20) and Senior (+20)

Since 2022:

Junior events were held for the first time in 2002 (or 2006) World Championships.

Weight classes

1984–2012

There were twenty powerlifting events, corresponding to ten weight classes each for men and women.

Powerlifting at the 2012 Summer Paralympics - Weight Divisions
Men Women
48 kg 40 kg
52 kg 44 kg
56 kg 48 kg
60 kg 52 kg
67.5 kg 56 kg
75 kg 60 kg
82.5 kg 67.5 kg
90 kg 75 kg
100 kg 82.5 kg
+100 kg +82.5 kg

Since 2016

There are twenty powerlifting events, corresponding to ten weight classes each for men and women. The weight categories were significantly adjusted after the 2012 Games.

Powerlifting at the 2016 Summer Paralympics - Weight Divisions
Men Women
49 kg 41 kg
54 kg 45 kg
59 kg 50 kg
65 kg 55 kg
72 kg 61 kg
80 kg 67 kg
88 kg 73 kg
97 kg 79 kg
107 kg 86 kg
+107 kg +86 kg

Events

Events:

Global

Regional

2013, 2015, 2018. (IPC Powerlifting Open ... Championships)

Edition Year Host Events Athletes
1 2013 Asian Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 20
2 2013 European Aleksin, Russia 20
3 2015 Americas Mexico City, Mexico 20
4 2015 Asian Almaty, Kazakhstan 20
5 2015 European Eger, Hungary 20
6 2015 African Brazzaville, Congo 20
7 2018 European Berck, France 20
8 2018 African Algiers, Algeria 20
9 2018 Asian Kitakyushu, Japan 20
10 2018 Americas Bogotá, Colombia 20

World Cup

up to 2016: IPC Powerlifting World Cup

Edition Year Host Events Athletes
- 2009 (1st FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
- 2010 (2nd FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
- 2011 (3rd FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
- 2012 (4th FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
- 2014 (5th FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
1 2015 (6th FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
2 2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 20
3 2016 (7th FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
4 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 20
5 2017 Eger, Hugary 20
6 2017 (8th FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
7 2018 (9th FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
8 2019 (10th FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20
9 2019 Eger, Hungary 20
10 2019 Lima, Peru 20
11 2019 Tokyo, Japan 20
12 2020 Abuja, Nigeria 20
13 2020 Manchester, United Kingdom 20
14 2021 Bogotá, Colombia 20
15 2021 Manchester, United Kingdom 20
16 2021 Bangkok, Thailand 20
17 2021 Tbilisi, Georgia 20
18 2021 (11th FAZZA) Dubai, United Arab Emirates 20

World records

World records in Paralympic powerlifting are ratified by the International Paralympic Committee.

Elite

Men
CategoryRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceRef
–49 kg183.5 kgLê Văn Công Vietnam4 December 2017World ChampionshipsMexico Mexico City, Mexico
–54 kg205 kgSherif Othman Egypt6 April 2014World ChampionshipsUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
–59 kg211 kgSherif Othman Egypt9 September 2016Paralympic GamesBrazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
–65 kg222 kgZou Yi China24 October 2023Asian Para GamesChina Hangzhou, China
–72 kg232 kgBonnie Bunyau Gustin Malaysia6 September 2024Paralympic GamesFrance Paris, France
–80 kg242 kgRouhollah Rostami Iran6 September 2024Paralympic GamesFrance Paris, France
–88 kg251 kgAbdelkareem Khattab Jordan29 August 2023World ChampionshipsUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
–97 kg260 kgAbdelkareem Khattab Jordan7 September 2024Paralympic GamesFrance Paris, France
–107 kg255 kgAliakbar Gharibshahi Iran16 October 2025World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
+107 kg310 kgSiamand Rahman Iran14 September 2016Paralympic GamesBrazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Women
CategoryRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceRef
–41 kg123 kgGuo Lingling China23 October 2023Asian Para GamesChina Hangzhou, China
–45 kg125 kgGuo Lingling China14 October 2025World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–50 kg131 kgEsther Oyema Nigeria10 April 2018Commonwealth GamesAustralia Gold Coast, Australia
–55 kg135 kgRehab Ahmed Egypt22 June 2024World CupGeorgia (country) Tbilisi, Georgia
–61 kg150 kgOnyinyechi Mark Nigeria6 September 2024Paralympic GamesFrance Paris, France
–67 kg148 kgOnyinyechi Mark Nigeria23 May 2026African Open ChampionshipsAlgeria Oran, Algeria
–73 kg151 kgKafila Almaruf Nigeria26 August 2023World ChampionshipsUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
–79 kg158 kgRita Ferdinand Nigeria24 July 2026Commonwealth GamesUnited Kingdom Glasgow, United Kingdom
–86 kg159 kgZheng Feifei China25 June 2024World CupGeorgia (country) Tbilisi, Georgia
+86 kg175 kgFolashade Oluwafemiayo Nigeria24 July 2026Commonwealth GamesUnited Kingdom Glasgow, United Kingdom

Next Gen

Men
CategoryRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceRef
–49 kg161 kgMuslim Al-Sudani Iraq27 October 2022African Open ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–54 kg152 kgGergő Szebenyi Hungary9 October 2025Rookie and NextGen World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–59 kg188 kgQi Yongkai China9 September 2018Asia-Oceania Open ChampionshipsJapan Kitakyushu, Japan
–65 kg204 kgBonnie Bunyau Gustin Malaysia9 October 2018Asian Para GamesIndonesia Jakarta, Indonesia
–72 kg179 kgDonato Telesca Italy26 April 2019World CupHungary Eger, Hungary
–80 kg170 kgIslam Mohamed Egypt28 October 2022African Open ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–88 kg176 kgMikołaj Wilkowski Poland6 March 2026European Open ChampionshipsGeorgia (country) Tbilisi, Georgia
–97 kg195 kgReza Enayatollahi Iran10 October 2025Rookie and NextGen World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–107 kg205 kgReza Enayatollahi Iran12 December 2025Asian Youth Para GamesUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+107 kg219 kgJasurbek Yuldoshov Uzbekistan11 April 2026Asia-Oceania Open ChampionshipsThailand Bangkok, Thailand
Women
CategoryRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceRef
–41 kg115 kgKerly Lascano Ecuador7 November 2025Youth Parapan American GamesChile Santiago, Chile
–45 kg100 kgLoveth Abokin Nigeria5 February 2020World CupNigeria Abuja, Nigeria
–50 kg108 kgOlivia Broome Great Britain27 November 2021World Junior ChampionshipsGeorgia (country) Tbilisi, Georgia
–55 kg127 kgOnyinyechi Mark Nigeria5 February 2020World CupNigeria Abuja, Nigeria
–61 kg116 kgFatma Korany Egypt5 February 2020World CupNigeria Abuja, Nigeria
–67 kg131 kgRukhshona Uktamova Uzbekistan9 April 2026Asia-Oceania Open ChampionshipsThailand Bangkok, Thailand
–73 kg110 kgGulyuz Nematullaeva Uzbekistan10 October 2025Rookie and NextGen World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–79 kg116 kgGulyuz Nematullaeva Uzbekistan10 April 2026Asia-Oceania Open ChampionshipsThailand Bangkok, Thailand
–86 kg102 kgAlina Kumeyko Ukraine2 December 2017World ChampionshipsMexico Mexico City, Mexico
+86 kg100 kgElsa Dewi Saputri Indonesia7 December 2023World CupThailand Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Rookie

Men
CategoryRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceRef
–49 kg137 kgJoshua Grist Great Britain6 March 2026European Open ChampionshipsGeorgia (country) Tbilisi, Georgia
–54 kg121 kgBahriddin Kholbutaev Uzbekistan10 December 2025Asian Youth Para GamesUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
–59 kg126 kgStandard
–65 kg135 kgFathidin Ahmadi Tajikistan11 December 2025Asian Youth Para GamesUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
–72 kg167 kgMuhammad Akmal Danish Mohamad Supi Malaysia10 October 2025Rookie and NextGen World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–80 kg170 kgElbek Farkhodov Uzbekistan11 December 2025Asian Youth Para GamesUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
–88 kg175 kgElbek Farkhodov Uzbekistan10 April 2026Asia-Oceania Open ChampionshipsThailand Bangkok, Thailand
–97 kg170 kgAzizbek Perdebaev Uzbekistan10 April 2026Asia-Oceania Open ChampionshipsThailand Bangkok, Thailand
–107 kg159 kgStandard
+107 kg175 kgAmirali Eshaghnia Ani Iran12 December 2025Asian Youth Para GamesUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Women
CategoryRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceRef
–41 kg74 kgSnezhanna Boiko Kazakhstan9 October 2025Rookie and NextGen World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–45 kg91 kgAmalia González Cuba7 November 2025Youth Parapan American GamesChile Santiago, Chile
–50 kg78 kgStandard
–55 kg102 kgRukhshona Uktamova Uzbekistan5 March 2024World CupUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
–61 kg114 kgRukhshona Uktamova Uzbekistan6 September 2024Paralympic GamesFrance Paris, France
–67 kg86 kgStandard
–73 kg86 kgStandard
–79 kg93 kgDelima Yunia Susanti Indonesia10 April 2026Asia-Oceania Open ChampionshipsThailand Bangkok, Thailand
–86 kg98 kgStandard
+86 kg102 kgStandard

Legend

Men
CategoryRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceRef
–49 kg170 kgOmar Qarada Jordan21 May 2026African Open ChampionshipsAlgeria Oran, Algeria
–54 kg183 kgRoland Ezuruike Nigeria14 October 2025World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–59 kg184 kgJuan Garrido Chile12 October 2025World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–65 kg185 kgAyrat Zakiev Russia7 March 2026European Open ChampionshipsGeorgia (country) Tbilisi, Georgia
–72 kg194 kgShaaban Ibrahim Egypt24 August 2023World ChampionshipsUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
–80 kg204 kgStandard
–88 kg227 kgMohamed Elelfat Egypt12 October 2025World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–97 kg230 kgFabio Torres Colombia10 July 2022Parapan American Open ChampionshipsUnited States St. Louis, United States
–107 kg237 kgBobby Body United States16 October 2025World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
+107 kg249 kgKonstantin Matsnev  NPA17 October 2025World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
Women
CategoryRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceRef
–41 kg92 kgStandard
–45 kg108 kgNazmiye Muslu Muratlı Turkey4 September 2024Paralympic GamesFrance Paris, France
–50 kg112 kgNazmiye Muslu Muratlı Turkey21 June 2024World CupGeorgia (country) Tbilisi, Georgia
–55 kg120 kgTamara Podpalnaya  NPA12 October 2025World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–61 kg132 kgAmalia Pérez Mexico8 July 2022Parapan American Open ChampionshipsUnited States St. Louis, United States
–67 kg132 kgAmalia Pérez Mexico23 June 2024World CupGeorgia (country) Tbilisi, Georgia
–73 kg132 kgLucy Ejike Nigeria13 October 2025World ChampionshipsEgypt Cairo, Egypt
–79 kg126 kgAmal Mahmoud Osman Egypt23 March 2024World CupEgypt Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
–86 kg134 kgTharwh Al-Hajaj Jordan17 December 2022World CupUnited Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+86 kg151 kgNadia Ali Egypt4 November 2023World CupEgypt Cairo, Egypt

See also

References

  1. ↑ "IPC Guide to Para and IPC Terminology" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. August 2021. p. 11. Para Powerlifting
  2. ↑ "Olympic Movement Sport Codes" (PDF). odf.olympictech.org. International Olympic Committee. 2 July 2026. p. 8. Para Powerlifting
  3. ↑ "About the sport". paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  4. ↑ "Here you can find more about the history of Para powerlifting, rules, classification and the biggest names in the sport". paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Para Powerlifting - Sport Technical Rules 2023 - Official Rules and Qualifying Standards" (PDF). moveunitedsport.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Pyeongtaek 2022: Paralympic and world champions return for more glory". paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee.
  7. ↑ "Para Powerlifting - Sport Technical Rules 2023 - Official Rules and Qualifying Standards" (PDF). moveunitedsport.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Paralympic Events - Search for Para Sport Competitions". paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee.
  9. ↑ "Para Powerlifting Results (Formerly IPC Powerlifting)". paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee.
  10. ↑ "Para Powerlifting (Formerly IPC Powerlifting) News & Events". paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee.
  11. ↑ "Para Powerlifting Schedule of Events & Competitions". paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee.
  12. ↑ "World Para Powerlifting Qualification Pathway 2017-2020: Appendix 1 (January 2018)" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 June 2019.
  13. ↑ "Powerlifting – Men's up to 49kg – Results" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  14. ↑ "2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  15. ↑ "Powerlifting – Men's -59 kg – Final Results" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  16. 1 2 "The 4th Asian Para Games – Powerlifting – Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  17. ↑ "Para Powerlifting – Men's up to 72kg – Final Results" (PDF). paralympic.com. COJOP. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  18. ↑ "Para Powerlifting – Men's up to 80kg – Final Results" (PDF). paralympic.com. COJOP. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  19. 1 2 3 "2023 Elite & Legends World Championships – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  20. ↑ "Para Powerlifting – Men's up to 97kg – Final Results" (PDF). paralympic.com. COJOP. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Cairo 2025 Para Powerlifting World Championships – Elite – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "Powerlifting – Men's +107 kg – Final Results" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  23. ↑ "Powerlifting – Women's Lightweight – Final Results" (PDF). Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.[dead link]
  24. 1 2 3 4 "Tbilisi 2024 ParaPowerlifting World Cup – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  25. 1 2 "Para Powerlifting – Women's up to 61kg – Final Results" (PDF). paralympic.com. COJOP. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  26. 1 2 "Para Powerlifting – Women's Heavyweight – Final Results" (PDF). glasgow2026.com. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  27. 1 2 "African Open Championships – Cairo (EGY) – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  28. ↑ "Powerlifting – Men's up to 59 kg – Results" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 9 September 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  29. ↑ "Para Powerlifting – Men's up to 65.00 kg – Results". gms.asianparagames2018.id. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  30. ↑ "2019 Eger World Para Powerlifting World Cup – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  31. 1 2 3 "2026 European Open Championships – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2026 Asia-Oceania Open Championships – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 "2020 Abuja WPPO World Cup – Official results book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  34. ↑ "Tbilisi 2021 World Junior Championships – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  35. ↑ "13th Fazza 2024 Para Powerlifting World Cup – Official Results Book" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  36. 1 2 "Parapan American Open Championships – St. Louis (USA) – Official Results Book" (PDF). IPC. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  37. ↑ "Fazza 12th Para Powerlifting World Cup – Dubai (UAE) – Official Results Book" (PDF). IPC. Retrieved 26 December 2022.