Farzin breaks world record at powerlifting World Cup

Clearly feeling confident, Farzin then went for broke with his third attempt, waiting as all three judges’ lights turned white.

Iran’s Paralympic and Asian champion Majid Farzin added his name to the history books once again on Wednesday (17 February), breaking the men’s up to 80kg world record at the IPC Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Farzin’s 236.5kg performance is his first world record, beating the previous best of Chinese world champion Xiao Fei Gu by 0.5kg.

The 31-year-old started with a 225kg lift, following in the second round with 231kg. Clearly feeling confident, Farzin then went for broke with his third attempt, waiting as all three judges’ lights turned white.

Colombia’s Americas champion Jainer Cantillo was also keen to muscle in on the record-breaking action, setting a new regional best of 200kg to take silver.

Turkey’s Izzettin Kanat (193kg) was third.

Iraq’s Asian champion Rasool Mohsin toppled Egypt’s world champion Mohamed Elelfat in the men’s up to 72kg.

Mohsin registered a 218kg lift to claim gold, his first victory since securing the regional title with a new world record of 225kg in July 2015.

Elelfat (215kg) could not quite reach the same heights he achieved when he collected World Championships gold in 2014 where he lifted 217kg, settling for silver.

Jordan’s Abdelkareem Mohmmad Ahmad Khattab (210kg) was third.

In the women’s up to 61kg, Ukraine’s Tetiana Shyrokolava (104kg) claimed gold with her best performance since 2011.

Poland’s European silver medallist Malgorzata Halas-Koralewska was second with 100kg. Morocco’s Fatima Bahji (97kg) was third.

Egypt’s Worlds silver medallist Amal Mahmoud proved why she is currently amongst the top athletes in the rankings for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Mahmoud, who also finished on the podium at London 2012 with bronze, led the women’s up to 67kg field with 113kg and three good lifts.

Russia’s Kheda Berieva (112kg) was just behind to claim second, followed by Kazakhstan’s Raushan Koishibayeva (105kg).

Full results are available at IPC Powerlifting's website.

Competition continues in Dubai with the men’s up to 88kg and up to 97kg; and women’s up to 73kg, and combined up to 79kg and up to 86kg on Thursday (18 February).

All the action, including live results, is being shown at IPC Powerlifting's website.

The 2015 IPC Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai is the penultimate opportunity for athletes to improve their place in the Paralympic rankings for Rio 2016. The final chance will be at another World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between 24-28 February.