Amalia Perez will take center stage Friday during La Chapelle Arena’s powerlifting events at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, as part of their third day.
On Friday, September 6th at La Chapelle Arena will see four Paralympic champions crowned during para powerlifting competition – two in the afternoon session and two later.
Here is an overview of Paris 2024’s star players and schedule.
Men’s and Women’s Afternoon Finals
The men’s 72kg final will kickstart proceedings this afternoon, featuring Malaysian star Bonnie Bunyau Gustin who holds multiple accolades including Paralympic, world and world record holding feats; at Dubai 2023 World Championships she lifted 231kg! Gustin will likely become an overwhelming favorite to claim this category title.
Since his breakthrough at the 2019 World Championships, Gustin has only strengthened and has won multiple prestigious tournaments – most recently his Paralympic title defense at La Chapelle Arena should prove thrilling to witness!
Egypt’s Mahmoud Attia won silver at Tokyo 2020; Italian Donato Telesca finished second at World Championships; both intend on giving tough competition against Malaysia’s formidable athlete, Faris Nordin.
Chinese silver medalist Hu Peng will join her Chinese peers as part of this year’s lineup.
Next up will be a fierce fight in the women’s 61kg final between Mexican icon Amalia Perez and Nigeria’s Mark Onyenichi for gold at Dubai 2023 World Championships. Perez holds four Paralympic medals while Onyenichi currently holds the world record, lifting 146kg during her four competitions at this weight category.
China’s Cui Jianjin hopes to achieve her first Paralympic gold with an outstanding performance at Paris.
Evening Finals: The Stars Set to Shine in Paris 2024
The evening will start off in China’s Tan Yujiao is expected to dominate in the women’s 67kg final at Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games; she holds both Paralympic and world titles while breaking world record at 141 kg during Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games.
Men’s 80kg final is expected to provide plenty of excitement as Iran’s Rouhollah Rostami defends his crown but faces stiff competition from Chinese boxer Gu Xiaofei.
Rostami currently holds the world record at 241kg set during Bangkok 2021 World Cup, but two-time silver medalist Xiaofei, from London 2012 and Rio 2016, as well as Tokyo 2020 is looking for his first golden triumph.