Paralympic powerlifting, also known as para powerlifting and para-lifting, is an adaptation of the sport of powerlifting for athletes with disabilities. The only discipline in Paralympic powerlifting is the bench press. The sport is governed by the International Paralympic Committee and is open to anyone with a minimum level of disability who can extend their arms within 20° of full extension during a lift. Powerlifting has been competed at the Summer Paralympics since 1984.
Lucy Ogechukwu Ejike is a Nigerian Paralympic powerlifter. She has represented her country at six consecutive Paralympic Games from 2000 in Sydney through to 2021 in Tokyo. She has won medals at each, three gold, two silver and one bronze. She won a further silver medal at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth games women's lightweight category of the Para Powerlifting event behind compatriot Esther Oyema.
Ali Jawad is a British Paralympic powerlifter competing in the −59 kg class. Born without legs, he took up powerlifting at the age of 16. He competed in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, finishing fourth. The following year he took gold at the Asian Open Championships making a world record lift of 185.5 kg. At the 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai, he became World Champion in his class, setting another world record, lifting 190 kg.
Deahnne Mary McIntyre, OAM is an Australian former Paralympic athletics competitor and one of few Australian female powerlifters. She won four medals in the 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games in athletics, and competed in powerlifting from 2000 until her retirement from the sport in January 2011.
Rajinder Singh Rahelu is an Indian Paralympic powerlifter. He won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in the 56 kg category. He represented India at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, finishing fifth in the final standings. Arjuna Award recipient, Rahelu, represented India at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, United Kingdom; he failed in all his three attempts at 175 kilograms (386 lb).
Zoe Newson is a British powerlifter. She is a two-time bronze medalist at the Summer Paralympics and she won the silver medal in her event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships.
Siamand Rahman was an Iranian Paralympic powerlifter. He won gold medals at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, and the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou. He is the current IPC Powerlifting World Record holder in the +107 kg category with a 310.0 kilograms (683.4 lb) bench press and also holds the junior world record with 290.0 kilograms (639.3 lb) and the Paralympic Championship Record with 310.0 kilograms (683.4 lb). Siamand died on 1, March 2020 due to cardiac arrest.
Bose Omolayo is a Nigerian powerlifter. She won the gold medal in the women's 79 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo, Japan. A few months later, she won the gold medal in her event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Tbilisi, Georgia. At this event, she also set a new world record of 144 kg.
Paul Kehinde was a Nigerian Para powerlifter. He was born in Epe, in Lagos state, Nigeria. He competed in the men's 65 kg class and also occasionally in the 72 kg class. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games he competed in the men's 72 kg event where he won a gold medal. Kehinde died 18 November 2021 in Lagos after a brief period of illness.
Rolland Ezuruike is a Nigerian powerlifter. He competed in the men's 72 kg event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where he won a silver medal. On 9 September 2016, he set a new paralympics record in the men's – 54kg category after lifting 200kg at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He also competed in the men's – 54kg category at the 2015 African Games, where he also won gold. Ezuruike improved his previous Commonwealth performance by winning gold in the men's lightweight powerlifting at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia.
Michael Yule is a British Paralympic powerlifter competing in the -80 kg class. In 2021, he won the bronze medal in the men's 72 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Fatma Omar is an Egyptian powerlifter competing in the -56 kg category. She is a dominant power in her sport, winning gold in her event in four Summer Paralympics, and another four gold medals at the IPC Powerlifting World Championships.
Randa Mahmoud is an Egyptian Paralympic powerlifter. She won a gold medal in the 86 kg division at the 2016 Paralympics, placing second in 2008 and 2012 in lighter categories.
Powerlifting in Cameroon is one of several para-sports in Cameroon for people with physical disabilities. The sport is represented nationally at the University Games.
Ivory Nwokorie MON is a Nigerian powerlifter who won the gold medal in the women's 44 kg weight class at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, England. She was banned for two years in 2013, after testing positive for Furosemide.
Ruel Ishaku is a Nigerian Paralympic gold medal-winning powerlifter.
Folashade Alice Oluwafemiayo is a Nigerian Paralympian athlete.
Anthony Ulonnam is a Nigerian Paralympic powerlifter. He represented Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Paralympics held in London, United Kingdom and he won the silver medal in the men's 56 kg event.
Guo Lingling is a Chinese Paralympic powerlifter. She won the gold medal in the women's 41 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo, Japan. She is also a three-time gold medalist at the World Para Powerlifting Championships.
Ruza Kuzieva is an Uzbekistani Paralympic powerlifter. She won the silver medal in the women's 61 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo, Japan. She won the gold medal in the women's 55 kg event at the 2018 Asian Para Games and she is a two-time medalist at the World Para Powerlifting Championships.
