Iranian physically-challenged weightlifters have claimed five medals, including one gold, at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Powerlifting Asian Open Championships in Malaysia.
On Monday, Iranian athlete Hamzeh Mohammadi snatched the gold medal at the Titiwangsa Stadium of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur with an aggregate of 181 kilograms in the men’s Asian competitions section.

Just one kilogram behind in the silver medal position, with a lift of 180 kilograms, was Iran’s Amir Ja’fari, whilst a weightlifter from China took the bronze lifting 176 kilograms.

Moreover, the gold medal in the men’s free competitions class, which has also attracted weightlifting champions from other continents, went to Britain’s Ali Jawad with a lift of 185 kilograms.

The 24-year-old British sportsman beat Nigerian athlete Anthony Azunna Ulonnam to claim the top spot. Ulonnam also lifted 185 kilograms, but Jawad was victorious since he was the lighter weightlifter. Iran’s Hamzeh Mohammadi set a new Asian record of 181 kilograms to win the bronze.

Earlier in the day, Iranian sportsman Samad Abbasi collected a silver medal in the men’s 54 kilogram Asian competitions with a lift of 168 kilograms.

A weightlifter from Vietnam lifted 170 kilograms and was awarded the gold medal, whilst a Nigerian athlete grabbed the bronze lifting 165 kilograms.

Abbasi also snatched the silver medal in the 54 kilogram free contests with a lift of 168 kilograms.

The gold medal went to a Vietnamese athlete who lifted 170 kilograms, while a Chinese athlete won the bronze with a lift of 163 kilograms.

Around 200 athletes from 30 countries are competing in the 2013 IPC Powerlifting Asian Open Championships, which opened in Kuala Lumpur on November 3 and wraps up on November 7.

The weightlifters are competing in various weight categories like 49 kilogram, 54 kilogram, 72 kilogram, 88 kilogram, 97 kilogram and 107 kilogram for men and 41 kilogram and 79 kilogram for women.

The athletes are competing in the championships to achieve the Minimum Qualifying Standard (MQS) for the 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships, which will take place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, next year from April 5 to 11.

By Press TV

 

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