The London 2012 Paralympic Powerlifting events start today.
200 athletes will compete in the bench press. There will be 10 men’s and 10 women’s weight categories.
Live Stream: here
Schedule: here
World Records: here
Rules: here
Who can take part?
The sport is open to anyone with a minimum level of disability who can extend their arms within 20° of full extension during a lift.
All athletes have an impairment in their lower limbs or hips, which would prohibit them to compete in able-bodied weightlifting. For example, athletes with a single or double amputation through or above the ankle or stiffness of the knee joint would be eligible to compete. All eligible athletes compete in one sport class, but in different weight categories just like their able-bodied counterparts in weightlifting. (via)
Unfortunately I won’t be able to watch most of the events during week days, but the chat will be open.
So this is as raw as it gets.
Here is a clip from Beijing 2008 of China’s Dong Qi who set a new World Record with 247.5kg in the 100kg class.
And here is Iran’s Siamand Rahman, who is rumored to go for 300kg this year, with his 290kg World Record in the +100kg category, set at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games.
UK readers, is BBC streaming all the Events?
UK Channel 4 is streaming the Paralympics but it isn’t streaming all of the events, I just tried to catch some of the powerlifting but it only offers a live score board.
That sucks.
What’s wrong with Dong Qi? He can walk?
As I said in the post “All athletes have an impairment in their lower limbs or hips, which would prohibit them to compete in able-bodied weightlifting.”
Look at his legs, he clearly has a disability.
this is really awesome. so cool to see people with disabilities still finding a way to compete
drug tested, benching 638lbs raw with no gear and no use of hips or legs or arched back??? i think these guys should be the real heros. i mean can any of the able bodied guys out there bench this much under these conditions???? i don’t think so a raw bench at 640 lbs with out a bench suit or shirt and belt and being tested by wada and IOC? WOW is all i can say my hats off to them.