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.
El Salvador first competed in the Paralympic Games at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. It has participated in the Summer Paralympic Games every four years since that time. El Salvador has never taken part in the Winter Paralympics, and until Tokyo 2020, no Salvadorian had won a Paralympic medal. In 2021, Herbert Aceituno became the first athlete to win a medal, earning bronze in powerlifting at the 59 kg category.
Zoe Newson is a British powerlifter. She is a one-time silver and two-time bronze medalist at the Summer Paralympics and she won the silver medal in her event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships.
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.
El Salvador sent a delegation to compete in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil from 7 to 18 September 2016. This was the country's fifth successive appearance in the Summer Paralympics since debuting at the 2000 Summer Paralympics. The Salvadoran delegation to Rio consisted of one athlete, powerlifter Herbert Aceituno, who qualified for the Games through his world ranking of 13th and his participation was confirmed by the International Paralympic Committee in August 2016. He failed to lift 185 kilograms (408 lb) in three attempts during the men's 72 kg tournament and was therefore not ranked in the final standings by the judges.
Samam Razi is an Iranian powerlifter.
Amalia Pérez Vázquez is a Mexican powerlifter in the 44 kilograms (97 lb) - 60 kilograms (130 lb) bracket. She has four times been a Paralympic champion and is the only powerlifter in the world to have Paralympic champion in three divisions.
El Salvador competed at the 2019 Parapan American Games held from August 23 to September 1, 2019 in Lima, Peru. Athletes representing El Salvador won one gold medal in total and the country finished in 15th place in the medal table.
Omar Sami Hamadeh Qarada is a Jordanian Paralympic powerlifter. He is a four-time medalist, including two gold medals, at both the Summer Paralympics and the World Para Powerlifting Championships. He is the first powerlifter representing Jordan to win a gold medal at the Paralympics.
Rehab Ahmed is an Egyptian Paralympic powerlifter. She is a two-time silver medalist at the Summer Paralympics and a three-time gold medalist at the World Para Powerlifting Championships.
Enkhbayaryn Sodnompiljee is a Mongolian powerlifter. He is a three-time medalist, including gold, at the Paralympic Games.
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 also won gold at the 2024 Summer Paralympics held in Paris, France. Guo is a four-time gold medalist at the World Para Powerlifting Championships.
Gu Xiaofei is a Chinese Paralympic powerlifter. He is a four-time silver medalist at the Summer Paralympics. He is also a five-time medalist, including two gold medals, at the World Para Powerlifting Championships.
Olivia Broome is a para powerlifter who won a bronze medal in the under-50 kg events at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Paralympics. She is the British and world junior record holder in the under-50 kg event, and has won multiple Para Powerlifting World Cup medals. She also won the junior under-50 kg event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships, silver medal in the women's 50 kg event, and a silver medal in the lightweight event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
David Mamievich Degtyarev is a Kazakh Paralympic powerlifter. He is a two-time gold medalist in the men's 54 kg event at the Summer Paralympics. Degtyarev is also a gold medalist at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Qi Yongkai is a Chinese Paralympic powerlifter. He won the gold medal in the men's 59 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo, Japan. He also won silver at the 2024 Summer Paralympics held in Paris, France.
Mariana D'Andrea is a Brazilian Paralympic powerlifter. She won the gold medal in the women's 73 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo, Japan. She is the first competitor representing Brazil to win a gold medal in powerlifting at the Paralympics. A few months later, she won the silver medal in her event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Abdelkareem Mohmmad Ahmad Khattab is a Jordanian Paralympic powerlifter. He won the gold medal in the men's 88 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo, Japan. He also set a new Paralympic record of 231 kg. A few months later, he won the gold medal in his event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Tbilisi, Georgia. He also set a new world record of 250 kg.
Ye Jixiong is a Chinese Paralympic powerlifter. He won the silver medal in the men's 88 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo, Japan. He is also a three-time medalist, including two gold medals, at the World Para Powerlifting Championships.
Hany Abdelhady is an Egyptian Paralympic powerlifter. He won the gold medal in the men's 90 kg event at the 2012 Summer Paralympics held in London, United Kingdom. He also won the gold medal in his event at the 2010 IPC Powerlifting World Championships held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
