Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: One world record, two Paralympic records set, but no French medals on the opening day of para powerlifting competition





On the first day of Para powerlifting at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the French competitors faced challenges. Alex Adelaïde and Axel Bourlon, representing France, had mixed results. Adelaïde finished sixth with a top lift of 160 kilograms, while Bourlon, a silver medalist from Tokyo 2021, did not advance past the initial rounds.

Bourlon's first attempt at 163 kilograms was rejected by two out of three judges, a decision confirmed by the video review. Despite increasing the weight for his second attempt, which could have secured a provisional fifth place, his lift at 169 kilograms was also invalidated. His third attempt at the same weight also failed, leaving him unranked. Bourlon expressed deep disappointment, stating, "It’s a huge disappointment because I didn’t come here for this; I wanted a medal, and the best one possible. I’m leaving these Games empty-handed."

In contrast, Alex Adelaïde, making his Para powerlifting debut, finished sixth. His initial lift of 160 kilograms was his best, and attempts at 165 and 172 kilograms were unsuccessful. Adelaïde, a former bronze medalist in Para athletics, will look to improve in future competitions, with Los Angeles 2028 on his radar.
The day's competition saw significant achievements in the women's categories. In the under 41-kilogram class, Zhen Cui of China set a new Paralympic record with a lift of 119 kilograms, though she fell short of the world record. She outperformed Nigeria's Esther Nworgu and Brazil's Lara Aparecida de Lima, who lifted 118 kilograms and 109 kilograms, respectively.

In the under 45-kilogram class, China's Lingling Guo set a new world record with a lift of 123 kilograms, surpassing the previous records. Zoé Newson of Great Britain and Nazmiye Muratli of Turkey completed the podium.
The Para powerlifting events continue through Sunday, September 8, with the women's over 86 kg and men's over 107 kg categories set to be highlights.