Powerlifting is one of the most intriguing competitions in the Paralympics, where athletes perform various strengths and determination together with skill. Powerlifting is a strength sport focused on three key lifts such as squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. Unlike bodybuilding, which focuses on muscle mass as well as the muscle’s cracks, powerlifting is simply the measurement of strength. The actual goal of the event is the effort that the participants apply in lifting the heaviest weight they can in each lift; together, the total of the weights makes up the overall score.
So, you are interested in acquiring knowledge regarding sports. In that case, this is the right time to introduce the world of powerlifting, revealing its secrets and explaining how it works, a short history of the event and what is new in the powerlifting Paralympics 2024.
The Basics of Powerlifting
Let’s uncover some of the basics of powerlifting
Squat: Lifts:
During this lift, athletes bend their knees and lower the body while keeping the spine parallel to the ground and then return to the upright position. This is the basic principle that must be followed when doing the exercises to prevent injuries and build up as much strength as possible.
Bench Press:
Here, the body of an athlete is in the horizontal position, and he/she is pushing a barbell from the chest area. This lift mainly works on the movements of the upper body muscles, such as the pectoral muscles in the chest, the muscles in the shoulders and the triceps muscles at the back of the upper arm.
Deadlift:
People take from the floor a barbell up to sensual stature using all body parts. The back, legs, and the abdominal are worked on during this exercise, making the lift a full-body strength exercise.
What is Paralympic Powerlifting?
Paralympic powerlifting is a bench press contest. Different from Olympic weightlifting, where the athlete performs different movements, snatch or clean and jerk, Paralympic powerlifting entails bench presses. Players engage in lifting the greatest number of weights as is possible. It’s astonishing how much weight these athletes lift or even try to lift.
That is even more impressive since these athletes have some form of disability that impacts their lower limbs but have turned their upper half into bodybuilders. Despite relocating from America to Germany this year, they are bringing their strong sports fascination to one event you wouldn’t want to miss!
Many athletes with a physical impairment power lift for fitness and train to compete in the Paralympic Games, including the spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and stroke classifications.
History of Paralympic Powerlifting
Powerlifting became part of the Paralympics in 1964 when the Paralympics were held in Tokyo, though it could be participated in by men only at this time. Women started competing in powerlifting in 2000 during the Sydney Paralympics, which was a major advancement in the integration of women in this category of sports.
Ever since the sport of powerlifting has become one of the most demanded and presented types of the Paralympics, it is still growing and developing, with athletes of all types setting new records and competitive edge maximum at each game held.
Classification of Athletes
Unlike the rest of the Paralympic sports, powerlifting classifies its contestants depending on their body weight and not the extent of their impairment. This enables athletes to compete on a level field and makes it possible for strength to be compounded with the athlete’s physical muscle strength. Given below are the various categories in weight lifting there are various categories depending on the gender of the athlete; the weight of the contestant must conform to a certain measure dictated by the category for which he or she is competing.
The classification is important to level the playing field for all kinds of athletes, and the winner is the one who has lifted the most weight relative to his body weight.
One weight class is permitted per athlete, and the actual weigh-in is done before a competition to check if an athlete or wrestler meets the requirements.
The Categories in Powerlifting
Understanding the different categories in powerlifting will help you follow the event better. As mentioned earlier, athletes are divided into weight classes. Here’s a quick look:
For Men:
- Up to 49 kg
- Up to 54 kg
- Up to 59 kg
- Up to 65 kg
- Up to 72 kg
- Up to 80 kg
- Up to 88 kg
- Up to 97 kg
- Up to 107 kg
- Over 107 kg
For Women:
- Up to 41 kg
- Up to 45 kg
- Up to 50 kg
- Up to 55 kg
- Up to 61 kg
- Up to 67 kg
- Up to 73 kg
- Up to 79 kg
- Up to 86 kg
- Over 86 kg
These categories ensure that athletes are competing against others of a similar weight, keeping the competition fair and exciting.
Rules of Powerlifting
Powerlifting Paralympic contains only one essential movement: the bench press. The participants have to perform this movement while in a supine position lying on a bench. The bar has to be connected to the athlete’s chest and then pushed back up to the member’s topmost length. The lift has to be done carefully, and any mistake regarding the correct techniques of lifting the barbell will lead to disqualification of the lift.
Here are some essential rules that athletes must follow:
- Three attempts: Every competitor has the right to complete three lifts of the selected weight. The maximum a team can score depends on the heaviest lift they were able to conceive and successfully pull off.
- Referees: Lift is performed and controlled by three referees during the occasion. It is a requirement that at least two of the referees reviewing a lift approve it.
- Time limit: Once an athlete is called to the platform, they are given a certain amount of time to achieve their lift.
- Equipment regulations: All competitors are required to wear a powerlifting shirt uniquely designed for powerlifters. Every competitor must conform to equipment rules and regulations, starting with the shirts they wear during the competition.
If the rules are not followed, the referees will rule “no lift,” which means the lift is not recognised.
How Does Powerlifting Work in the Paralympics?
Let’s break it down for beginners. Here’s how powerlifting at the Paralympics works:
- The Bench Press: Athletes lie on their back on a bench, lower a weighted barbell to their chest, and then push it back up to full arm extension. Sounds simple, right? But as the weight increases, it becomes an insane test of upper body strength.
- The Weight Classes: Just like regular powerlifting competitions, athletes are divided into different weight categories. This ensures fair competition. For men, there are 10 different weight classes, and for women, there are also 10 classes. Each athlete competes within their weight category.
- Three Attempts: Each athlete gets three attempts to lift the heaviest weight they can. The best successful lift is the one that counts toward their final score.
- Judging: There are three referees who decide whether a lift is successful or not. For a lift to count, the athlete must lower the bar to their chest, hold it still, and then push it back up smoothly without any jerky movements.
- Medals: The athlete with the highest successful lift in each weight category wins the gold medal. Simple as that!
Powerlifting at the 2024 Paralympics
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are set to be a phenomenal showcase of powerlifting talent. Taking place from August 28 to September 8, 2024, the event will be held at the prestigious Grand Palais in Paris, a venue that will undoubtedly elevate the excitement of the competition.
What’s New in 2024?
Every Paralympics introduces something fresh, and 2024 is no different. This year, there’s expected to be a renewed focus on inclusivity and athlete empowerment. Powerlifting will be at the heart of this movement. Not only will the competition highlight the strongest athletes, but it will also emphasise their journey, determination, and mental toughness.
Athletes like Lucy Ejike from Nigeria, who has consistently dominated the sport, and Siamand Rahman from Iran (before his untimely passing), who lifted an astonishing 310 kg in Rio 2016, have set the bar high. In 2024, new faces and returning champions will aim to break records and redefine what’s possible.
What Makes Paralympic Powerlifting Special?
You might wonder: how is this different from the powerlifting events that are generally noticed at the gyms or other occasions? The answer, then, is in classification. A measure that has been integrated to make sure that disabled athletes compete with a high level of fairness is the Paralympic classification system.
In Paralympic powerlifting, the competitors have a disability that impacts their lower limbs or the hip region. When they’re judged, their performances are assessed to meet the set standards to give everyone a fairground as well as to appreciate great athletic displays.
Paris Para Powerlifting 2024 Review:
During five days of Para powerlifting, China outperformed all of its competitors and won 15 medals, taking the first position in six of the 20 competitions. This placed Iran in the second position after Turkey, while Egypt came in third.
Jordan’s Abdelkareem Mohmmad Khattab secured victory by the most significant margin. The current world record holder and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games champion in the Men’s up to 88kg category won his second Paralympic Games gold in the Men’s up to 97kg, lifting 41kg more than China’s Ye Jixiong.
Brazil maintained the Paralympic success with Mariana D’Andrea, defending her gold in the women’s up to 73kg and later dedicating it to her deceased father and Tatyana Medeiro winning the gold in the women up to 86kg on the last day of the games. Memories were created in men up to 80kg, where Hadi Darvish became the first ever member of the Refugee Paralympic Team to participate in Para powerlifting at the Paralympics Games. Darvish scored a total of 10 points and ranked sixth in a very competitive category among nine players. The Iranian weightlifter IRI Roohallah Rostami won the gold medal and the Championship, putting a new World Record of 242 Kg.
Memorable events in Powerlifting Paralympics
Here’s the information on memorable events in Powerlifting Paralympics presented in a tabular format:
| Year | Event | Athlete | Achievement | Details |
| 2016 | Rio Paralympics | Siamand Rahman (Iran) | First lifter to surpass 300 kg | Rahman lifted 310 kg, setting a world record and becoming the strongest Paralympian in history. |
| 2000 | Sydney Paralympics | Powerlifting for Women | Introduction of women’s powerlifting | Sydney marked the first year women could compete in Paralympic powerlifting, expanding inclusivity in the sport. |
| 2012 | London Paralympics | Randa Mahmoud (Egypt) | Gold medal in women’s 82.5 kg category | Randa’s win helped raise the profile of Egyptian women in the sport, inspiring future generations. |
| 2016 | Rio Paralympics | Lucy Ejike (Nigeria) | World Record in women’s 61 kg category | Lucy lifted 142 kg, breaking her previous world record and securing gold. |
| 2008 | Beijing Paralympics | Osamah Alshanqiti (Saudi Arabia) | First Saudi Paralympic Gold Medalist | Osamah won Saudi Arabia’s first-ever Paralympic gold in the triple jump, but he also competed in powerlifting, showcasing versatility. |
Conclusion
It remains evident that powerlifting during the 2024 Paralympics is expected to be one of the most enthralling closely contested events that would showcase the resilience of some of the world’s best athletes.
Paralympic powerlifting is considered to be one of the most interesting types of sports as it originated a long time ago, has certain rules, and gives people with disabilities a chance to show their abilities and become winners.
For anyone who is a novice, an athlete or just a fan of sports, the 2024 Paralympics will be one in a lifetime. Powerlift athletes also seized the opportunity to show the result of hard work towards realizing their potential, and those performances are going to entertain and encourage viewers worldwide. It is for these reasons, therefore that let’s join hands in celebrating the Paralympic athletes and their great feats as they challenge the possibilities in sporting events.
