For the first time in history, Paris will host the Paralympic Games. Among the 22 disciplines to be contested is para-powerlifting, also known as powerlifting. This sport made its debut at the Tokyo 1964 Paralympic Games and was included as a Paralympic discipline in 1984. The women’s category was introduced in the competition at the Sydney 2000 Games.

What you need to know about para-powerlifting

The athlete must choose the weight they will lift on the bar, then remove the bar from the supports and wait for the referee’s signal to start the exercise. Once the signal is given, the athlete will lower the bar to their chest, pause, and then push with all their strength until their arms are fully extended (locking out the elbows). The referee will indicate when the athlete can return the bar to the supports. The three judges surrounding the athlete are responsible for evaluating the lift and will decide if the lift is successful or not. The athlete who lifts the most weight will win the competition, having three attempts to achieve the best possible weight.

In para powerlifting, the categories are divided according to the athlete’s weight, with 20 categories in total: 10 for women (41 kg to 86 kg) and 10 for men (49 kg to over 107 kg).

Eligible disabilities for this discipline include: progressive neurological conditions, paraplegia and tetraplegia, neurological disability, cerebral palsy, and orthopedic disability.

During the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the para powerlifting venue will be the Porte de la Chapelle Arena, an eco-designed venue with a capacity for 8,000 spectators. After the Games, this venue will become a cultural center, leaving a significant legacy for the French capital.

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