In today’s various categories, the two French representatives Alex Adelaïde and Axel Bourlon could not do better than sixth place for the former, while the latter did not get the classification after three failed attempts. Two Paralympic records and one world record were broken in the women’s categories. Here is a summary of the day in para powerlifting.
The highest hopes of a medal rested on his shoulders and on his chest. Paralympic silver medalist Axel Borlin was given a hero’s welcome at the Arena Porte de la Chapelle in Tokyo in 2021. Typhoons in blue, white, and red, numerous flags, and the noise of the crowd contrasted with the demeanor of the crying man. Sitting on the bench before his first try, he closed his eyes for thirty seconds as he got into his zone. The once boisterous crowd fell into a warm silence.
Disappointment for Axel Borlin
Alas, his first attempt at 163 kg was disallowed by two of the three judges. A video challenge confirmed the verdict, meaning he would need to perform better on the second lift. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s David Dagtyariev cleared the first lift of 184kg to lead the competition. Vietnam’s Anh Nguyen withdrew after failing in her first attempt at 168kg.
With his lowest rating, Axel Bourlon decided to increase the weight for his second attempt. We don’t really understand the decision for the first lift; I felt comfortable with that weight, that’s why I chose to go up, he told reporters. A lift of 169 kg would have temporarily placed him in fifth place. However, his execution, which was poorly controlled by his right arm, was overruled by all three judges. Again, the video challenge did not change the decision. With his head in his hands, Borlen realized he had missed his chance. He will not be back on the podium after Tokyo. Worse, his third attempt, again at 169 kg, was another failure. Axel Borlen will not be rated either.
“It’s a big disappointment because I didn’t come here for that; I wanted a medal, and the best. I’m leaving these Games empty-handed,” he admitted later.
In the end, Kazakhstan’s David Degtyarev (188 kg) won over Pablo Ramírez Barrientos (Cuba, 185 kg) and Jing Longyang (China, 179 kg).
In his first Games as a powerlifter, Alex Adelaide placed 6th
On day one, during the first session, Alex Adelaide could do no better than finish sixth with his opening lift of 160kg. After that, the Guadalupian failed her second attempt at 165 kg, as a slight delay in her push prevented the judges from validating the lift. For his final attempt, he gambled with a 172kg lift, which if successful would have put him on the temporary podium. However, he failed again, allowing his rivals to go ahead. Having previously competed in para-athletics at the Rio Games, where she won bronze in the 4x400m relay, Adelaide had to settle for her first result in para-powerlifting. He will be redeemed in Los Angeles in 2028.
In the final, victory was fought between Jordan’s Omar Sami Hammadi Qarada, Turkey’s Abdullah Kayapenar, and Vietnam’s Lee Van Kong. The latter faltered first, failing at 176 and then 181 kg. In contrast, two of his rivals crossed the 180 kg mark. In the end, Umar Sami Hamada Qarada lifted 181 kg to win. Minutes later, he attempted but failed to break the world record (183.5 kg) by lifting 184 kg.
Records fell in the women’s competition
In the women’s under-41kg category, Xin Cui achieved a double victory by winning the Paralympic title and breaking the Paralympic record. However, she failed to break the world record, which stands at 123 kg. After winning silver in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2021, the 37-year-old Chinese athlete finally broke the curse with this first gold medal. With a lift of 119 kg, she beat Nigeria’s Esther Norgo (118 kg) and Brazil’s Lara Aprecida de Lima (109 kg).
In the other women’s category, the under-45kg, the world record fell, beaten by China’s Ling Guo, the Paralympic under-41kg title holder. With a bar weighing 123 kg, he erased the previous Paralympic and world records from the books. Behind her Zoe Newson (UK) and Nazmia Muratli (Turkey) completed the podium.
Four more days of competition
The competition will continue until Sunday, September 8, culminating in the women’s over 86kg and men’s over 107kg competitions.
