Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 59kg

The men’s up to 59kg got more competitive when Egypt’s Sherif Osman announced last year that he would move into the class.

The Egyptian Paralympic champion has shown signs that he is a gold-medal favourite at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Earlier this year, he broke the world record with a lift of 210.5kg at the IPC Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Reigning world champion Ali Jawad has said he is looking forward to Osman’s challenge. The Brit is seeking to make up for the disappointment from his home Games four year ago, where he did not medal. But Jawad has not come close to Osman’s world record, as his best lift heading into September’s Games is 194kg set back in 2014.

Chile’s Juan Carlos Garrido and China’s Quanxi Yang are all potential podium contenders as well. Whether or not they can match Osman’s strength has yet to be seen.

You can catch the men’s up to 59kg on 9 September at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. All Para powerlifting events will be contested at the Riocentro – Pavilion 2.