Some of the Americas’ biggest Para powerlifting stars are ready to return to the bench as Mexico City hosts the Parapan American Open Championships from 4 to 8 October.
A strong field of 180 athletes from 20 nations, including one Asia, will compete for regional honours and valuable ranking points on the qualification pathway to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Hosts Mexico will field the largest team with 54 athletes (31 men and 23 women), followed by Brazil with 25 athletes and Chile with 20.
The competition is the fourth and final Regional Open Championship of 2026, following the European Open in Tbilisi, the Asia-Oceania Open in Bangkok and the African Open in Oran. It is also a mandatory competition for athletes pursuing qualification for LA28.
Home stars
All eyes will be on the home team, with legendary Amalia Perez among the biggest names competing in Mexico City. The most decorated Para powerlifter in Paralympic history returned to competition in May following a year and a half away from the bench after undergoing shoulder surgery – and immediately showed she had lost none of her strength.
The four-time Paralympic champion completed all three lifts of 100kg, 105kg and 110kg to take gold in the women’s up to 61kg category at the opening stage of the Mexican Para Powerlifting Circuit, also held in Mexico City.
“I was honestly a little nervous because it was my first competition after a year and a half of not touching the bar. I was also very excited to share the stage again with colleagues of many years and with others who are preparing to represent us in the future,” Perez told NPC Mexico following her return.
“For me, it is a pleasure to return after an injury, ready to give my best.”
Mexico will also look to Paris 2024 bronze medallist Jose de Jesus Castillo Castillo, who lifted 222kg to take bronze in the men’s up to 107kg in Paris. The experienced Mexican also claimed bronze at Rio 2016.
Seasoned star Perla Patricia Barcenas adds further Paralympic and World Championships experience to the strong home line-up.
Regional stars
Several of the Americas’ leading names will also be in action, led by Venezuela’s reigning Paralympic and world champion Clara Fuentes.
The 29-year-old won the women’s up to 50kg title at Paris 2024 with a 124kg lift before moving up a bodyweight category and claiming the women’s up to 55kg world title at Cairo 2025.
El Salvador’s Herbert Aceituno is another familiar name expected to challenge for the podium. The two-time Parapan American Games champion pushed Paris 2024 champion David Degtyarev throughout the men’s up to 54kg final at Cairo 2025 before settling for silver with a 190kg lift.
Aceituno, also a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic bronze medallist, will be aiming to add another regional title to his collection.
In the heavier categories, Colombia’s Fabio Torres will be one of the leading contenders in the men’s up to 97kg. The two-time Paralympic medallist and reigning Parapan American Games champion arrives in good form after winning gold at the Valledupar 2026 Para South American Games with a 220kg lift.
Torres will line up alongside Jordanian legend Abdelkareem Khattab, the reigning Paralympic and world champion.
Khattab lifted a world record 270kg to claim the men’s up to 97kg Paralympic title at Paris 2024 before continuing his dominance at Cairo 2025, where a 240kg lift secured his third consecutive world title.
The Jordanian will use the competition to fine-tune his preparations ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games later in October.
USA’s Bobby Body will be another athlete to watch in the men’s up to 107kg. The experienced athlete finished fourth on his Paralympic debut at Paris 2024 before taking bronze at Cairo 2025, and will be looking for a strong performance on the road to a home Paralympic Games at Los Angeles 2028.
Brazil bring strength
Reigning Paralympic champions Mariana D’Andrea and Tayana Medeiros headline Brazil’s 25-strong team.
Two-time Paralympic champion D’Andrea will compete in the women’s up to 73kg after winning gold at the Valledupar 2026 Para South American Games with a 142kg lift.
Medeiros will be another major medal contender in the women’s up to 86kg. The Paris 2024 Paralympic champion lifted 150kg to take gold at Valledupar 2026, setting an Americas record in the process.
The pair were also part of Brazil’s successful campaign at Cairo 2025, with Medeiros joining Lara Aparecida de Lima and D’Andrea in the team that won the women’s team title.
Brazil finished on top of the medals table at Valledupar 2026 with seven golds and 19 medals and will once again be expected to feature prominently in Mexico City.
How to follow?
You can follow the live action from the Mexico 2026 Parapan American Open Championships on the Paralympic Games YouTube channel.
Live results from the competition in Mexico City can be followed here.
