Greece won its first ever medal in Powerlifting while the United Arab Emirates won its first medal of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games on Monday, September 15.

On the same day, China increased its gold medal tally in this sport to eight, while the day's big surprise was the disappointing performance by world record holder Park Jong-Chul of the Republic of Korea.

Men's 82.5 kilogram

In the Men's 82.5 category, China's Zhang Haidong made good lifts of 225kg and 230kg to clinch the gold, but followed up with a no-lift at 249kg, in an unsuccessful bid to smash his own world record of 248.5kg.

"This is another gold medal in Beijing, seventeen years since my international debut," said Zhang. "I am satisfied and at the same time, I'm not. I didn't break the world record. I've got an injury from a competition in Malaysia a year ago. I haven't lifted 230kg since that competition, because I didn't want to get another injury before the Beijing Paralympic Games. I am still thirsty to break the world record."

The silver medal was snatched by Pavlos Mamalos of Greece, winning his country's first ever medal in Powerlifting, with a good lift of 217.5kg in his first attempt and 225kg with his third attempt after a no-lift of the same weight in his second attempt.

Iraq won its second medal in Powerlifting with Thaer Al-Ali winning the bronze for good lifts of 215, 220 and 222.5kg.

Men's 90kg

In the Men's 90kg category, United Arab Emirates' Mohammed Khamiss Khalaf won his country's first medal of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, clinching the silver with good lifts of 222.5kg, 225kg and 227.5kg.

China's Cai Huichao won the gold medal with good lifts of 230kg and 235kg, bagging China's eighth gold medal in Powerlifting in these Games.

"I didn't expect that I could get the gold medal," said Cai. "I just wanted a medal, no matter what color. I am very, very thrilled about the gold medal because this is my first Paralympic Games."

Poland's Ryszard Rogala won the bronze medal, the country's second medal in Powerlifting, with a good lift of 215kg in his first attempt. He made a no-lift in his second attempt at 222.5kg and appeared to suffer pain from a previous elbow injury in his third attempt, with a no-lift of 225kg, making the bronze medal a well-earned reward for his efforts.

The Powerlifting events conclude on Tuesday, September 16 with the Men's 100kg and over 100kg categories.