Siamand Rahman lived up to his status as the world’s strongest Paralympian after the Iranian star produced a world record lift on the final day of powerlifting competition at Rio 2016.
Rahman went into the competition with the existing world record of 296 kilograms, but raised the bar to first 300kg and then 305kg to easily secure victory.
With the gold already secured, the Iranian took the option of having a fourth lift and set a world record again of 310kg.
Egypt’s Amr Mossad finished well behind the gold medalist with a lift of 235kg, while Jordan’s Jamil Elshebli took bronze by achieving 234kg.
“I prefer to be a model for those who have a disability and sitting at home doing nothing,” said Rahman. “I’m very happy to be a model especially for the people in my country and I try to prove that when there is a will there is a way. I’m delighted and I’m proud because I’m Iranian and I’m proud of my nation. I am very much delighted that I could do it [break the world record]. I promised to do that and I did it.”
Greece’s Pavlos Mamalos triumphed in the men’s under 107kg event, after a closely contested competition with Egypt’s Mohamed Ahmed.
The 45-year-old Greek lifter produced a Paralympic record lift of 238kg to take the gold, with Ahmed producing a best effort of 233kg.
Iran’s Ali Sadeghzadehsalmani claimed the bronze with a lift of 226kg.
The final women’s powerlifting event of the Games saw Nigeria’s Josephine Orji finish top of the over 86kg podium by producing a world record lift of 154kg.
Marzena Zieba of Poland took silver having managed 134kg, while Melaica Tuinfort of The Netherlands secured bronze with 130kg.
By Michael Pavitt
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz