Dubai, February 16 2016 – Egypt’s Sherif Othman set a new world record (NWR) in the men’s U59kgs category to put the cap on a comprehensive win during day two of the Seventh Fazza IPC Powerlifting World Cup at the Dubai Club for the Disabled on Tuesday.
Warming up with initial lifts of 190kgs and then 200kgs, Othman tried to pull off 210.5kgs on his third and final attempt and duly managed it to seal this success in some style amid rapturous applause and scenes.
Jordanian Mohammad Tarbash came away with the silver medal as his second lift of 171kgs bettered that of Thailand’s Narong Kasanun (170kgs) by just one kilogram.
“Prestigious tournaments like the Fazza IPC Powerlifting World Cup really bring out the best in you as an athlete as the high level of administration and organisation here allows you to focus solely on your powerlifting,” an overjoyed Othman said after being presented with his gold medal at the subsequent podium presentation.
“I’ve broken several world records at different weight divisions in the past (52kgs, 54kgs and 56kgs) and now I’ve managed to do it in the U59kgs weight class.
“It is a very important time for all of us ahead of the Paralympic Games this September and winning with a new world record today (Tuesday) is perfect preparation for me on the road to Rio de Janeiro.”
Meanwhile, Jordan and Kyrgyzstan won their first gold medals at this meeting in the men’s U49kgs and U54kgs classifications respectively.
Omar Sami Hamadeh Qarada dominated the former event, with his second lift of 176kgs seeing him emerge victorious by a full 21kgs (155kgs) from silver medalist Nador Tunkel, of Hungary. Egypt’s Taha Abdelmagid completed the podium picture with 150kgs for the bronze.
The UAE’s Hamad Al Balooshi was competing in the ‘B’ competition in this weight class and he finished ninth among the combined (A & B), 12-strong field with a lift of 55kgs.
Al Balooshi finished behind the Saudi duo of Maysar Olaymi (Seventh, 85kgs) and Khalid Yaqut (Eighth, 65kgs), but ahead of the Bahraini contender Ahmed Al Khayyat (10th, 50kgs).
Another MENA (Middle East and North Africa) representative, Algeria’s Hadj Ahmed Biour, came fifth with 138kgs, marginally behind Ivan Arnautov (140kgs), of Russia, in fourth spot.
The equivalent U54kgs contest was a much closer affair as Esen Kaliev’s 150kgs bench-press saw him prevail by eight kilograms (142kgs) from Ukraine’s Sergii Khvalinskyi, with Tetsuo Nishizaki (128kgs), of Japan, rounding off the top three.
Ivory Coast’s Alidou Diamoutene would have triumphed overall had any of his three lifts at 163kgs, 165kgs and 165kgs been declared as ‘good’ ones.
However, he was red-flagged on each occasion and that was – regrettably – a recurring trend as 12 of the 15 efforts were ultimately classified as ‘no lifts.’ Elsewhere, the opening ceremony of this Seventh Fazza IPC Powerlifting World Cup took place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Monday night.
Thani Juma Berregad, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Fazza Championships for the Disabled, and Jon Amos, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Powerlifting Chairman, officially declared the tournament open at the event.
Members of the 42 international squads were treated to a state-of-the-art variety show comprising art, culture, heritage and history and Paul Martinez, a former President of the Powerlifting Committee at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), was honoured in recognition of his excellent contribution to the development of the sport, particularly here in the United Arab Emirates
where his unyielding support led to the country staging the IPC Powerlifting World Championships two years ago.
This event is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and organized and supervised by the Dubai Club for the Disabled, with the support of their strategic partners the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) and in cooperation with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare (GAYSW), the DSC and the UAE Paralympic Committee.
The Seventh Fazza IPC Powerlifting World Cup will continue on Wednesday, when the men shall be contesting the U72kgs and U80kgs classifications and the women will be competing in the U61kgs and U67kgs categories.
