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Some of the Americas\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
A strong field of 180 athletes from 20 nations, including one Asia, will compete for regional honours and valuable ranking\u00a0points on the qualification pathway to\u00a0the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.<\/p>\n
Hosts Mexico will field the largest team with 54 athletes (31 men and 23 women),\u00a0followed by Brazil with 25 athletes and Chile with 20.<\/p>\n
The competition is the fourth and final Regional Open Championship of 2026,\u00a0following 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\u00a0pursuing qualification for LA28.<\/a><\/p>\n All eyes will be on the home team, with legendary Amalia Perez among the biggest names competing in Mexico City.\u00a0The most decorated Para powerlifter in Paralympic history returned to competition in May<\/a> following a year and a half away from the bench after undergoing shoulder surgery \u2013 and immediately showed she had lost none of her strength.<\/p>\n The four-time Paralympic champion completed all three lifts of 100kg, 105kg and 110kg to take gold in the women\u2019s up to 61kg category at the opening stage of the Mexican Para Powerlifting Circuit, also held in Mexico City.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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,\u201d Perez told NPC Mexico following her return.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, it is a pleasure to return after an injury, ready to give my best.\u201d<\/p>\n Mexico will also look to Paris 2024 bronze medallist Jose de Jesus Castillo Castillo, who lifted 222kg to take bronze in the men\u2019s up to 107kg in Paris. The experienced Mexican also claimed bronze at Rio 2016.<\/p>\n Seasoned star Perla Patricia Barcenas adds further Paralympic and World Championships experience to the strong home line-up.<\/p>\n Several of the Americas\u2019 leading names will also be in action, led by Venezuela\u2019s reigning Paralympic and world champion Clara Fuentes.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 29-year-old\u00a0won the women\u2019s up to 50kg title at Paris 2024 with a 124kg lift before moving up a bodyweight category and claiming the women\u2019s up to 55kg world title at Cairo 2025.<\/p>\n El Salvador\u2019s Herbert Aceituno is another familiar name expected to challenge for the podium. The two-time Parapan American Games\u00a0champion pushed Paris 2024 champion David Degtyarev throughout the men\u2019s up to 54kg final at Cairo 2025 before settling for silver with a 190kg lift.\u00a0<\/p>\n Aceituno, also a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic bronze medallist, will be aiming to add another regional title to his collection.<\/p>\n In the heavier categories, Colombia\u2019s Fabio Torres will be one of the leading contenders in the men\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Torres will line up alongside Jordanian legend Abdelkareem Khattab, the reigning Paralympic and world champion.<\/p>\n Khattab lifted a world record 270kg to claim the men\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The Jordanian will use the competition to fine-tune his preparations ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games later in October.<\/p>\n USA\u2019s Bobby Body will be another athlete to watch in the men\u2019s up to 107kg. The experienced athlete\u00a0finished 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.<\/p>\n Reigning Paralympic champions Mariana D\u2019Andrea and Tayana Medeiros headline Brazil\u2019s 25-strong team.<\/p>\n Two-time Paralympic champion D\u2019Andrea will compete in the women\u2019s up to 73kg after winning gold at the Valledupar 2026 Para South American Games<\/a> with a 142kg lift.<\/p>\n Medeiros will be another major medal contender in the women\u2019s up to 86kg. The Paris 2024 Paralympic champion lifted 150kg to take gold at Valledupar 2026, setting an Americas record in the process.<\/p>\n The pair were also part of Brazil\u2019s successful campaign at Cairo 2025, with Medeiros joining Lara Aparecida de Lima and D\u2019Andrea in the team that won the women\u2019s team title.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n You can follow the live action from the Mexico 2026 Parapan American Open Championships on the Paralympic Games YouTube channel.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Live results from the competition in Mexico City can be followed here.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\nHome stars<\/h2>\n
Regional stars<\/h2>\n
Brazil bring strength<\/h2>\n
How to follow?<\/h2>\n