China increased its medal haul to four gold medals in the Powerlifting competition at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games on Saturday, September 13.

Egypt also increased its gold medal count to three in this sport and Iran won a silver medal - the country's second Powerlifting medal.

Egypt's winning streak in Powerlifting continued with Metwaly Ibrahim Mathna setting a new Paralympic record in the Men's -67.5kg category to win Egypt's third gold medal of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Mathna's first attempt equaled the Paralympic record of 212.5kg in this category, set by Monday Emoghavwe of Nigeria at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, a record subsequently broken by Ali Hosseini of Iran on his second attempt with a lift of 215kg that secured him the silver medal.

Spurred on by the level of competition, Mathna lifted 217.5kg to set yet another Paralympic record.

On his third attempt, Hosseni attempted 222.5kg to further push the Paralympic record and equal the world record, set by Mathna at the 2006 World Championships in Busan, the Republic of Korea. He made a no-lift but secured Iran's second medal in Powerlifting at Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Mathna clinched the gold medal despite also making a no-lift of 222.5kg on his third attempt and Wu Maoshun of China won the bronze medal with good lifts of 195kg, 197.5kg and 200kg.

In the Women's -60kg category, China's Bian Jianxin attempted an immediate show of strength to snatch gold. Patience Amal Mahmoud Osman of Egypt took silver and Aghimile Igbiti of Nigeria won bronze.

After a failed first attempt, Bian made a good lift at the same weight on her second attempt, setting a new world and Paralympic record and handing herself the gold medal, smashing the previous record set by her compatriot Fu Taoying at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

On her third attempt, Bian had the bar loaded to 135kg in a bid to extend her world record and made an impeccable lift of 135kg, once again setting a new world and Paralympic record.

On their third attempts, Igbiti made a no-lift at 115kg, winning the bronze medal, while Osman made a good lift of 117.5kg, winning the silver medal.

In the Women's -67.5kg event, Fu Taoying of China equaled the Paralympic record of 142.5kg and won the gold medal.

The silver medal went to Amoge Victoria Nneji of Nigeria, who lifted 132.5kg and Rasha Alshikh of Syria took the bronze medal with a lift of 117.5kg.

Not content with retaining her record, Fu made a fourth attempt at the same weight, smashing both the Paralympic and world records.

The Powerlifting events continue on Sunday, September 14 at the BUAA Gymnasium with the Women's -75kg, -82.5kg and +82.5kg, and the Men's -75kg categories.

(BOCOG September 13, 2008)