Thrilling contests marked the opening day of the World Para Powerlifting Championships in Cairo as\u00a0Paralympic stars returned to achieve glory one year since their Paris 2024 feats.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cairo 2025 Worlds also marked the beginning of the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics and thus the three categories contested on the day lived up to the expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the superstars were dominating, it surprised everyone as Nigeria\u2019s debutant Rita Ferdinard came from nowhere to clinch the women\u2019s up to 79 kg gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ferdinard made a dream debut to her international journey beating the reigning Paralympic champion Miaoyu Han of China in a show power and courage at the New Capital Sports Hall in Cairo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting with an impressive 142 kg lift in her first-ever appearance in an international competition, Ferdinard added six more kilos in her second attempt which was enough to take the gold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Han chose to attempt lighter weights \u2013 she had all clear lifts with the final one at 143 kg, which meant the Nigerian already was confirmed as the world champion before her third attempt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-old athlete from Oyo state in Nigeria, however, went for 153 kg and broke the African record \u2013 one kilogram less than the standing world record of the Han set at Paris 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jordan\u2019s Asma Issa settled for the bronze on 136 kg and claimed her first medal at a World Championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was super happy and excited. It was my first World Championship, and I managed to win the gold.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI trained for two months to compete in this championship. I hope to get a world record in the next championships,\u201d said Ferdinard, who was the gold medallist at Nigeria\u2019s National Sports Festival last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n