On the opening day of powerlifting at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, China’s female athletes showcased their dominance with impressive performances. Guo Lingling, a 35-year-old powerlifter, set a new world record in the up to 45kg class. Lingling increased her personal best bench press from 121kg to 123kg, outshining Britain’s Zoe Newson, who secured second place with a lift 14kg lighter. Lingling’s remarkable achievement, performed in front of a somewhat sparse yet enthusiastic crowd at La Chapelle Arena, helped solidify China’s lead at the top of the overall medal table.
Lingling expressed her exhilaration and gratitude for the supportive atmosphere at the stadium, attributing her success to China’s significant investment in athlete training. “The Chinese government spends a lot of money training people. So China will always be first on the gold medal tally,” she remarked, highlighting the country’s commitment to excellence in sports.
In addition to Lingling’s world record, her compatriot Cui Zhe also made headlines by setting a new Paralympic record in the up to 41kg category. Zhe, who will turn 38 in December, achieved a personal milestone by lifting 119kg, nearly three times her body weight. This victory was particularly significant for Zhe, who had previously won four silver medals in past Paralympic Games. “I have always had faith in myself and believed that I could get the gold,” Zhe said, reflecting on her long-awaited triumph.
Meanwhile, in the men’s events, Jordan’s Omar Qarada successfully defended his title in the 49kg class with a lift of 181kg. Qarada’s preparation over the past three years since the Tokyo Games was evident in his performance. Similarly, Kazakhstan’s David Degtyarev retained his up to 54kg title, fending off competition from Cuba’s Pablo Ramirez. Degtyarev, reflecting on his achievement, noted, “I can’t say which one (medal) is more important. They are both very important for me,” underscoring the significance of his continued success in the sport.
The first day of powerlifting at the Paris 2024 Paralympics not only highlighted the prowess of Chinese athletes but also set a high standard for the rest of the competition.
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