Powerlifting Preview
Powerlifting has continued to grow in participation rates and popularity at the Paralympic Games, with more and more countries represented each time. Men and women will compete in 10 different classes in Tokyo, from up to 49 kilograms to over 107 kg. for men, and up to 41 kg. and over 86 kg. for women.
The United States will send one powerlifter to Tokyo, just as it did five years ago in Rio when two-time Paralympian Ahmed Shafik placed seventh at 80 kg. Jake Schrom will make his Paralympic debut in Tokyo after receiving a Bipartite Commission invite. Team USA has won 14 medals all time in Paralympic competition though the last came in 2000.
Weightlifting was first on the Paralympic program in 1964, and powerlifting was added 20 years later. The sports coexisted on the program until 1992, when only powerlifting carried on. The sports differ in that weightlifting was done with a dead bench press — starting the lift from the chest — while powerlifting starts with taking the weight at arm’s length, lowering it to the chest for a full stop, then beginning the lift.
Athletes have three attempts to make a good lift for the judges, and whoever lifts the most weight in each weight class wins. There are ten weight classes for men and ten for women. Para powerlifters all have lower limb or hip impairments that would otherwise prevent them from competing in Olympic weightlifting.
Updated on July 20, 2021. For more information, contact the sport press officer.