Paralympic powerlifting is an adaptation of the sport of powerlifting for athletes with disabilities. The only discipline in Paralympic powerlifting is the bench press.
Paralympic powerlifting has been competed at every Summer Paralympics since 1984. Weightlifting had been on the Paralympic program since 1964, however after the 1992 Games the IPC decided to drop weightlifting and hold powerlifting events only. Women first competed in the sport at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.
East Timor first sent competitors to the Paralympic Games for the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. The country at that time was not yet recognised as a sovereign state, and its athletes participated as "Individual Paralympic Athletes". There were only two: Alcino Pereira in track & field, in the men's 5,000m race ; and Mateus Lukas in men's powerlifting, in the up to 48 kg category. Pereira failed to complete his race, while Lukas lifted 105 kg, finishing 13th and last of the athletes who successfully lifted a weight in his category.
Darren Gardiner is an Australian Paralympic powerlifter. He has won two Paralympic silver medals in the Men's Over 100 kg powerlifting event. He did not medal at the 2012 Games.
The Men's +100 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 27 September. It was won by Faris Abed, representing Iraq.
The Men's 100 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 27 September. It was won by Kazem Rajabigolojeh, representing Iran.
The Men's 52 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 21 September. It was won by Osama El Serngawy, representing Egypt.
The Men's 56 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 22 September. It was won by Wang Jian, representing China.
The Men's 60 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 22 September. It was won by Shaban Ibrahim, representing Egypt.
The Men's 67.5 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 24 September. It was won by Metwaly Mathna, representing Egypt.
The Men's 75 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 25 September. It was won by Zhang Hai Dong, representing China.
The Men's 82.5 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 26 September. It was won by Mohammed Khamis Khalaf, representing United Arab Emirates.
The Men's 90 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 26 September. It was won by Park Jong Chul, representing South Korea.
The Women's 40 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 20 September. It was won by Lidiya Solovyova, representing Ukraine.
The Women's 44 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 20 September. It was won by Lucy Ejike, representing Nigeria.
The Women's 48 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 21 September. It was won by Bian Jian Xin, representing China.
The Women's 52 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 21 September. It was won by Tamara Podpalnaya, representing Russia.
The Women's 56 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 21 September. It was won by Fatma Omar, representing Egypt.
The Women's 82.5 kg powerlifting event at the 2004 Summer Paralympics was competed on 25 September. It was won by Emma Brown, representing Great Britain.
Amalia Pérez Vásquez is a Mexican powerlifter in the 44 kilograms (97 lb) - 60 kilograms (130 lb) bracket. She has five times been a Paralympic champion and is the only powerlifter in the world to have Paralympic champion in three divisions.
