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.
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.
Cui Zhe is a powerlifter from China.
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.
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.
Zuray Marcano Fuenmayor was a Venezuelan teacher and Paralympic powerlifter. In 2016, she was a competitor at the Rio Paralympics at the age of 62.
Lê Văn Công is a Vietnamese sports powerlifter who participated in the 2008 and crowned the men's 49 kg event at the 2016 Summer Paralympics. He became the first Vietnamese athlete to win a gold medal in the history of the Summer Paralympics.
Tan Yujiao is a Chinese 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.
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.
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.
Gu Xiaofei is a Chinese Paralympic powerlifter. He is a three-time silver medalist at the Summer Paralympics. He is also a five-time medalist, including two gold medals, at the World Para Powerlifting Championships.
Perla Patricia Bárcenas is a Mexican Paralympic powerlifter. She represented Mexico at the Summer Paralympics in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2021 and she won three medals. She won the silver medal in the women's 75 kg event at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia, the bronze medal in the women's 82.5 kg event in 2008 and the bronze medal in the women's +82.5 kg event in 2012.
Olivia Broome is a para powerlifter who won a bronze medal in the under-50 kg event at the delayed 2020 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.
Herbert Aceituno is a Salvadoran Paralympic powerlifter of short stature. He is a bronze medalist at the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo, Japan, a silver medalist at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Tbilisi, Georgia and a gold medalist at the 2019 Parapan American Games held in Lima, Peru.
Mariana Shevchuk is a Ukrainian Paralympic powerlifter. She won the gold medal in the women's 55 kg 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 133.5 kg.
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.
Nataliia Oliinyk is a Ukrainian Paralympic powerlifter. She won the silver medal in the women's 79 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo, Japan. A few months later, she won the bronze medal in the women's 86 kg event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Tbilisi, Georgia.
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.
