Iran’s Aminzadeh extends dominance with third world title -

It was another golden day for Iran as Ahmad Aminzadeh extended his dominance in the super-heavyweight category on the final day of individual competitions at the Cairo 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championships.

Aminzadeh, the reigning Paralympic champion, clinched his third world title with a 260 kg lift in his second round and finished nine kilograms ahead of Gustavo Am Melo De Souza from Brazil in the men’s over 107 kg category.

The 34-year-old Iranian’s victory also ensured that the legacy of the late legend Siamand Rahman lives on in the super heavyweight category.

“After Paris 2024 Paralympics, I didn’t train much as I had some pain in my chest. But I’m happy that I won the gold here. I will go back Iran, work on my recovery and train harder,” said Aminzadeh who suffered an injury in Paris 2024.

“This is the first time I attempted to lift 270 kg, but it wasn’t meant to be here. I hope I can get it in the next competition.”

However, the fight was between Melo De Souza and Georgia’s Paris 2024 bronze medallist Akaki Jintcharadze for the second place as they stayed neck and neck in the second round, both lifting 247 kg.

The final round saw Melo De Souza finishing one kilogram ahead of Jintcharadze (250 kg). In the process, Melo De Souza improved his own Americas record from 236 kg to 251 kg while Jintcharadze broke the European record of 248 kg set at Tbilisi 2024.

“This is my first World Championships medal, and I worked very hard for this one. I wanted to take the silver, but the Brazilian went one better. The European record is special,” said Jintcharadze who won Georgia’s first ever Paralympic medal in the sport at Paris 2024.

China’s Zheng Feifei had to wait one year to settle the score with her old rival, Brazil’s reigning Paralympic champion Tayana Madeiros — and the result was sweet.

Feifei, the Dubai 2023 world champion, retained her title after a close contest with the Brazilian before the former succeeded with a second-round lift of 153 kg.

The big fight for the gold, in fact, began in the first round with the two champions starting at 147 kg before Feifei going ahead with 153 kg lift. Madeiros, meanwhile, faltered in the next two rounds.

Nigeria’s Ibeh Blessing managed 136 kg in her only successful second round attempt to take the bronze.

“I’m very happy to win the gold here. I competed with my old opponent (Brazil’s Tayana) again and happy to beat her. My strategy today was to lift at least kilogram more than my rival,” said Feifei, who holds the world record in the category at 159 kg set at Tbilisi 2024.

“I prepared for a year for this championship and aimed to break the world record here. There were a few mistakes, but I hope to improve in the next competition.”