Paralympic powerlifting is a sport in which disabled athletes compete to see which athletes can lift the greatest amount of weight. Both men and women compete in the sport, with 10 weight classes available for each sex. In the sport, disabled athletes are categorized by their total body weight rather than the type or severity of their disability. Athletes are given three attempts to lift the most weight possible.
Introduction of Powerlifting into the Paralympic Games
Powerlifting was contested for the first time at the 1964 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. At the time, only men's events were available, and only athletes with spinal cord injuries competed. The 1964 Paralympic athletes did a lift fashioned after a dead lift press.
Paralympic powerlifting has evolved quite a bit since the 1964 Paralympic Games. Today, amputee athletes, as well as those with dwarfism, cerebral palsy and many other disabilities, are eligible to compete in the Paralympic Games. Women's Paralympic powerlifting was introduced at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.
Powerlifting Rules and Regulations for Disabled Athletes
Today, the rules for Paralympic power lifts are very similar to the rules for lifts done by able-bodied athletes. At the Games, disabled athletes compete in a bench press event in which the athlete must lower the bar, hold it motionless at their chest, and raise the bar back to the starting position in a seamless, fluid motion. Athletes lay on a bench that is 40-50 cm off the ground to complete the lift.
Athletes are most commonly disqualified for not fully extending their arms when they raise the bar, not lifting the bar in a single, fluid movement, or not holding the bar motionless on their chest.
Paralympic powerlifting will begin in London on Saturday, August 29, 2012 and end Saturday, September 8, 2012. The events will take place in the ExCel venue, and in total, 120 men and 80 women will compete for 20 gold medals - one for each of the 10 weight classes per sex.
Origins of Paralympic Powerlifting
Powerlifting was developed and first practiced by the Greek and the Egyptians. It is one of the oldest Olympic and Paralympic sports.
The sport has grown steadily since it's introduction to the Paralympic Games in 1964. Today, more than 5,500 athletes compete in more than 115 countries. Egypt and China have historically been the most dominant in international competition.
References:
Paralympic Powerlifting. London 2012 website. www.london2012.com Accessed April 25, 2010.
Weightlifting Equipment and History. Olympic.org website. www.olympic.org. Accessed April 25, 2010.
Kristen Nichols - Kristen is a freelance reporter and copywriter covering Olympic and Paralympic sport for Suite101.com. Kristen's love of sport developed ...
