Dubai [UAE], August 27: Veteran powerlifter Ahmed Khamis Alblooshi won the first medals for the hosts United Arab Emirates, including a gold in the Legends category, at the ongoing the Dubai 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City.
Alblooshi, the powerlifter who trains in Abu Dhabi club, clinched a gold and silver for his total of 644 kg in Legend Total and Elite Total, respectively, and another silver in Legend Best category for his best list of 217 kg, in the men's over 107 kg.
Starting with a lift of 212 kg and then 215 kg, Alblooshi grew in confidence as he finished with 217 kg to get his first medals at World Championships.
"This was a good opportunity to compete with the best players in the world. I am happy with my performance today. Now my first goal is to qualify for Paris 2024 Paralympics, and I am preparing for that," said the 49-year-old, whose first World Championships was in 2010 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Otherwise, Iran dominated the super heavyweight categories winning two gold medals.
In men's over 107 kg, Ahmad Aminzadeh won his second Worlds title in a row with a successful lift of 155 kg and continued the legacy of Siamand Rahman, who holds the world record at 310 kg. Aminzadeh finished ahead of compatriot Mahdi Sayadi (246) and Jordan's Jamil Elshebli (237).
Before Amanzadeh's show, compatriot Aliakbar Gharibshahi gave Iran its first gold at the Dubai 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships.
In a thrilling men's under 107 kg contest, Gharibshahi retained his Worlds title with a successful lift of 248 kg, just one kilos above Mongolia's Paralympic champion Sodnompiljee Enkhbayar (247 kg). Ukraine's Anton Kriukov claimed the bronze with a 244 kg effort.
However, the day belonged to China's Zheng Feifei who set a new world record en route clinching her first World Championships title and thus ended a streak of silver medals since Mexico 2017.
Feifei, the reigning Asian Para Games champion, also set the Asian record thrice in the process when she lifted 158 kg in a Powerlift in women's under 86 kg contest
Nigeria's Paralympic champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo faltered in her final lift, which was a world record attempt of 156 kg, and settled for 152 kg and the bronze.
Ukraine's Natali Oliinyk claimed the silver with a successful third lift of 153 kg.
"I achieved what I came for in Dubai. I wasn't surprised by my performance, and I want to repeat the success of the World Championships at the Paris 2024 Paralympics." Feifei, who will be defending her Asian Para Games title in Hangzhou in October.
After three days of elite competitions, China are on top with 11 medals that included seven gold, two silver and two bronze followed by Great Britain and Iran three gold and two gold, respectively.
The Dubai 2023 Para Powerlifting World Championships, held the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council and Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People of Determination, are streamed live on World Para Powerlifting Facebook channel and Paralympics YouTube channel.
Source: Emirates News Agency
