TEHRAN – Iranian athlete Ali Akbar Gharibshahi broke the world record, winning gold at the 12th Para Powerlifting World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
Gharibshahi put up a 247kg score on his first lift in the Men’s over 107kg category. He failed in the second lift, but managed to put up a 254kg score in his final competition to win gold and the world champion.
Prior to that, Iranian powerlifters Rouhollah Rostami, Mohsen Bakhtiar and Amir Jafari won gold as well in the Men’s 80kg, 59kg and 65kg categories respectively.
Ali Seifi had gained bronze in the 65kg division.
The 12th Para Powerlifting World Cup kicked off in Dubai on December 15.
Over 200 competitors from 40 countries are taking part in the four-day event, vying for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.