In the bench press, Lingling improved from 121 kg in February to 123 kg in Paris, where she was surpassed by Zoe Newson of Britain, who finished 14 kg lighter.
Guo Lingling, the Chinese woman who holds the world record in the up to 45kg class, led the Chinese women’s powerlifting competition on the opening day of the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Lingling improved her best bench press weight from 121 kg in February to 123 kg in Paris, where she was followed by British competitor Zoe Newson, who was 14 kg lighter.
Lingling’s efforts in front of a boisterous but mostly empty La Chapelle Arena helped her nation to the top of the medal standings overall at Paris 2024.
Lingling exclaimed, “I am ecstatic and joyful, and the atmosphere at the stadium was also very inspiring to me.”
The Chinese government invests a large amount of money in personnel training. Thus, China will always lead in the number of gold medals won,” she continued.
Prior to this, fellow countryman Cui Zhe had set a Paralympic record in the up to 41 kg class.
Zhe, who turns 38 in December, had four silver medals in her prior Games competitions before finally winning the gold by lifting nearly three times her body weight in 119 kg.
Zhe remarked, “I’ve always believed in myself and that I could get the gold.”
“I’ve been really committed to achieving this goal and have never given up, always giving my all in competitions. I’ve felt as though I’ve been on a mission that I’ve never finished. My goal has always been to win a Paralympic medal, and I have faith that I can accomplish it,” she continued.
In the men’s division, David Degtyarev of Kazakhstan maintained his up to 54kg title by holding off Pablo Ramirez of Cuba, while Omar Qarada of Jordan successfully defended his 49kg title with an 181kg lift.
“I trained nonstop for three years after Tokyo with the goal of winning again. I’m not sure which (medical) is more crucial. For me, they are both extremely important,” Degtyarev remarked.
