Two world and Paralympic records were smashed in the first day of the Powerlifting competition of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the BUAA Gymnasium on Tuesday, September 9.

Ruel Ishaku of Nigeria lifted 169 kilograms to break both the world record Wu Guoying of China set in the Men's 48kg category at the 2007 National Games in Kunming, China, and the Paralympic record Anthony Peddle of Great Britain set at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.

Peddle failed to repeat his performance at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, as his left arm faltered, registering a no-lift in all his three attempts at 152kg.

Omar Qarada of Jordan lifted 157.5kg in his first attempt and went on to succeed in the third attempt at 162.5kg and had to settle for the silver after failing in his world and Paralympic record breaking attempt of 169.5kg.

Eay Simay of Laos bagged the bronze with a lift of 157.5 kg.

In the Women's 40kg category, Lidiya Solovyova of Ukraine lifted 100kg in her third attempt to secure gold. She went on to complete a record-breaking lift of 105.5kg, surpassing by half a kilogram her own world and Paralympic record set at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

After successfully lifting 92.5kg in her second attempt, Cui Zhe of China went on to lift 95kg to claim the silver. Cerero had to concede to the bronze with 92.5kg.

In the Women's 44kg event, Xiao Cuijian of China, bronze medalist in this category at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, went all out to take the gold with an easy lift of 100kg, although she failed in her third attempt at 102.5kg. Her spirited performance drew a round of rapturous applause.

Justyna Kozdryk of Poland lifted 90kg in her first attempt and 92.5kg in her second, but faltered in the third at 95kg; Zainab Sayed Oteify of Egypt also lifted 92.5kg in her second attempt and failed in her third at 95kg, but she outweighs Justyna Kozdryk of Poland and had to be contented with a bronze.

(BOCOG September 9, 2008)