All gold medallists from Paris 2024 are returning to the stage \u2014 though some are moving up categories at the World Para Powerlifting Championships starting today in Cairo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venezuela\u2019s Clara Fuentes set off a domino effect by moving from the women\u2019s up to 50kg to the 55kg class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In turn, Egypt\u2019s Rehab Ahmed moved to the up to 61kg category, Nigeria\u2019s Onyinyechi Mark switched to up to 67kg, and China\u2019s Yujiao Tan joined Paralympic champion Mariana D\u2019Andrea in the women\u2019s up to 73kg class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other major move comes from Italy\u2019s Donato Telesca, who shifts from the men\u2019s up to 72kg to the 88kg division. The Paralympic bronze medallist and Dubai 2023 silver medallist will now face China\u2019s Panpan Yan instead of Malaysia\u2019s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt will be an amazing fight with this champion,\u201d commented Telesca on World Para Powerlifting\u2019s Instagram post about the Chinese competitor last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four-time Paralympic champion and five-time World champion Amalia P\u00e9rez of Mexico will not compete in Cairo, ending a run of seven consecutive World Championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her debut dates back to 2002 in Kuala Lumpur, where she claimed silver and began a streak of six consecutive World medals \u2014 broken at Dubai 2023, where she finished fourth in the women\u2019s up to 67kg before taking bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The action begins later today with the men\u2019s up to 80kg category, opening the Elite Championships. Iran\u2019s Roohallah Rostami will be aiming for his third World Championships gold in what will be his seventh appearance among the elite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Athletes will compete across 20 bodyweight categories \u2014 10 for women and 10 for men \u2014 over seven days, followed by three team events on the final competition day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three categories will be contested daily, except on 17 October, when only two events take place \u2014 the women\u2019s up to 86kg and the men\u2019s over 107kg \u2014 with another Iranian, Ahmad Aminzadeh, defending his title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A total of 70 National Paralympic Committees will be represented by 537 athletes \u2014 311 men and 226 women. Most notably, all Paralympic champions from the Paris 2024 Games are competing in Cairo, marking the beginning of the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Host country Egypt is fielding the largest contingent with 33 athletes, followed by Brazil (25), China (23), and India and Uzbekistan (22 each). In terms of gender representation, Brazil leads with 16 female athletes, including four Paralympic medallists from Paris 2024. Egypt dominates among men with 19 competitors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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