Alex Adelaïde and Axel Bourlon, the two French competitors in today’s Para powerlifting events, faced tough outcomes. Adelaïde finished in sixth place, while Bourlon was unranked after three failed attempts. Meanwhile, the women’s competition saw two Paralympic records and one world record shattered. Here’s a recap of the day’s action in Para powerlifting.
All eyes were on Axel Bourlon, who carried France’s biggest hopes for a medal. A silver medalist at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics, Bourlon was greeted with cheers at the Arena Porte de La Chapelle. The crowd, decked in blue, white, and red, fell silent as the Roanne native focused before his first attempt. He closed his eyes for thirty seconds, readying himself for the lift.
Disappointment for Axel Bourlon
Unfortunately, Bourlon’s first attempt at 163 kilograms was disqualified by two of the three judges, a decision confirmed after a video review. As his rivals, including Kazakhstan’s David Degtyarev, successfully lifted their weights, Bourlon opted to increase his second lift to 169 kilograms. “I felt good with the first weight, so we decided to go higher,” he explained to reporters. However, his second attempt also failed, with the judges ruling against it. When his third and final attempt at 169 kilograms was invalidated as well, Bourlon realized he had missed his chance for a podium finish and was left unranked.
“I’m devastated because I came here to win a medal, and now I’m leaving without anything,” Bourlon said afterward.
Alex Adelaïde Finishes Sixth in His Powerlifting Debut
Earlier in the day, Alex Adelaïde, competing in his first Paralympics as a powerlifter, finished in sixth place with a successful lift of 160 kilograms. However, he failed his next two attempts, including a bold try at 172 kilograms, which could have placed him on the podium. The Guadeloupean athlete, who won bronze in the 4x400m relay at the Rio 2016 Games in Para athletics, will be looking to improve in Los Angeles in 2028.
The men’s competition saw Jordan’s Omar Sami Hamadeh Qarada claim victory with a 181-kilogram lift, ahead of Turkey’s Abdullah Kayapinar and Vietnam’s Le Van Cong. Qarada also attempted to break the world record with a 184-kilogram lift but fell short.
Record-breaking Performances in the Women’s Event
In the women’s under 41kg category, China’s Zhen Cui set a new Paralympic record with a 119-kilogram lift, securing her first gold medal after four previous silver finishes. Nigeria’s Esther Nworgu and Brazil’s Lara Aparecida de Lima took second and third, respectively.
In the under 45kg category, China’s Lingling Guo shattered both the Paralympic and world records with a 123-kilogram lift, clinching the title. Great Britain’s Zoé Newson and Turkey’s Nazmiye Muratli rounded out the podium.
