The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games witnessed a series of record-breaking performances in Para powerlifting, with the continent’s leading athletes delivering impressive results at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center.
Iraq’s Mustafa Radhi, China’s Lingling Guo and Uzbekistan’s Ruza Kuzieva led the record-breaking performances, setting new world records in their respective categories as Asia’s top Para powerlifters raised the standard of competition.
China topped the Para powerlifting medal table with 10 gold medals, followed by Uzbekistan with five. Iraq and Jordan claimed two gold medals each, while Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Mongolia finished with one gold apiece.
With the Bahrain 2026 World Para Powerlifting Championships just a month away, the thrilling action in Nagoya City offered a glimpse of what lies ahead.
Qarada claims first gold
Jordan’s two-time Paralympic champion Omar Qarada claimed the first gold medal of the fifth Asian Para Games, setting the tone for a memorable week of competition.
Competing in the men’s up to 49kg category, Qarada lifted 176kg to secure his third Asian Para Games gold medal, following victories at Guangzhou 2010 and Hangzhou 2022.
The 45-year-old completed successful lifts of 174kg and 176kg before missing his final attempt at 178kg. Vietnam’s Le Van Cong took silver with 171kg, while China’s Chen Liuxun claimed bronze with 161kg.
“It makes me so proud seeing the Jordanian flag being the first flag raised at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya,” said Qarada, who celebrated the victory with his wife and fellow powerlifter Asma Issa.
“I will celebrate with my friends and wife who is also a powerlifter. We travel the world together. But my focus now is on Los Angeles 2028 (Paralympic Games). I want to lift 180kg in Los Angeles. That is my next goal.”
China’s four-time Asian Para Games champion Cui Zhe also made a winning start, claiming the women’s up to 41kg title with a lift of 120kg to secure her nation’s first gold medal of the Games.
Radhi and Guo smash world records
Iraq’s Mustafa Radhi produced one of the standout performances of the opening day, lifting 212kg in the men’s up to 59kg category to establish a new world record.
Radhi also set new Asian and Asian Para Games records, improving the previous Asian mark of 208kg he had established earlier this year.
China’s Lingling Guo continued her impressive run in the women’s up to 45kg category, raising the world and Asian records to 126kg.
The two-time Paralympic and five-time world champion also established a new Asian Para Games record of 120kg, adding another milestone to her career.
Kuzieva’s record show
Uzbekistan’s Ruza Kuzieva stole the show on the third day of competitions setting a new world record en route winning the women’s up to 73kg category, with a lift of 152kg.
The two-time Paralympic silver medallist also improved the Asian record twice during the competition, first lifting 147kg before raising the mark to 149kg. In the process, Kuzieva also finished ahead of reigning world champion Tan Yujiao, the three-time Paralympic and Asian Para Games champion in women’s up to 67kg.
“I am very happy. I worked hard for this, and this is not just for me, but for my family and my coach,” said Kuzieva who sets her sights for Bahrain 2026 World Championships.
“I have two children and they would watch me train. This gold medal is for them.”
Jordan’s Abdelkareem Khattab, a two-time Paralympic champion and world record holder, added another gold medal to his collection in the men’s up to 97kg category.
Khattab lifted 241kg in his second attempt to claim the title and establish a new Asian Para Games record, though it was much lesser than his world record effort of 270kg he achieved at Paris 2024.
China and Iran add to record tally
Another Paris 2024 champion Miaoyu Han also entered the record books in the women’s up to 79kg event, lifting 152kg to establish new Asian and Asian Para Games records en route winning the gold in the category.
Compatriot Feifei Zheng added another Asian Para Games record for China in the women’s up to 86kg category with a lift of 155kg.
Meanwhile, Iran celebrated several memorable moments in the men’s competition. Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 champion Roohallah Rostami set an Asian Para Games record of 243kg in the up to 88kg category.
Ahmad Aminzadeh also carried forward the legacy of legendary Siamand Rahman as he continued Iran’s dominance in the men’s over 107kg Para powerlifting category.
The reigning Paralympic and Asian Para Games champion successfully defended his title after lifting 260 kg at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center.
Other Paris 2024 champions
However, Paris 2024 and reigning Asian Para Games champion Aliakbar Gharibshahi settled for silver after he faltered in his final two lifts settling for 245kg, just one kilogram behind Mongolia’s Sodnompiljee Enkhbayar (246kg) in men’s up to 107kg.
“This is my fifth Asian Para Games, and I’m so excited” said Enkhbayar. “I wasn’t nervous. I knew in my mind that I had done very well, doing my best with every lift. That is all I could do.”
Among other top names, Malaysia’s two-time Paralympic champion and world record holder Bonnie Bunyau Gustin settled for 225kg, but was enough to win the men’s up to 72kg gold medal.
“I prepared for it. Last Commonwealth (Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games) I got bronze. I came here wanting to bring the gold. So, I’m very proud of my performance today,” said the Malaysian star.
“This medal is for my wife; we have been married for about one year. She gave me so much support, I am so grateful for her. I think she’s watching me right now.”
The men’s team gold was clinched by China after they beat Iraq, while Chinese women defeated Indonesia for the team gold.
In the mixed team events, Iraq, led by Mustafa, retuned again this time to edge Indonesia for the gold medal. Indonesia’s silver medal came as a surprise as they knocked out China in the semifinals.
The Para powerlifting programme featured 164 athletes from 26 nations competing across 23 medal events from 19 to 24 October, including men’s, women’s and mixed team competitions making their Asian Para Games debut.
