Jordan’s two-time Paralympic champion Omar Qarada claimed the first gold medal of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games with a lift of 176kg in the men’s up to 49kg category at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center on Monday (19 October).
It was Qarada’s third Asian Para Games gold medal following his victories at Guangzhou 2010 and Hangzhou 2022.
For the 45-year-old, who shared an emotional embrace with his wife Asma Issa (also a powerlifting competing in women’s up to 79kg) after his victory, it was a proud moment as he put Jordan at the top of the medals table with two successful lifts of 174kg and 176kg. He faltered in the final lift going for 178kg.
“It makes me so proud seeing the Jordanian flag being the first flag raised at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya,” said an elated Qarada.
“I will celebrate with my friends and wife who is also a powerlifter. We travel the world together. But my focus now is on Los Angeles 2028 (Paralympic Games). I want to lift 180kg in Los Angeles. That is my next goal.”
Vietnam’s world record holder Le Van Cong had to settle for silver after failing his second and third attempts at 176kg and 178kg, respectively. His opening lift of 171kg was enough to secure second place.
China’s Chen Liuxun showed promise but had to settle for bronze with a successful lift of 161kg in his second attempt.
Cui Zhe delivers China’s first gold
Like Qarada, four-time Asian Para Games champion Cui Zhe continued her dominance in the women’s up to 41kg category, producing three successful lifts to claim China’s first gold medal at the 5th Asian Para Games.
The reigning Paris 2024 Paralympic champion opened with 110kg before raising the bar to 115kg and sealing the gold with a final lift of 120kg.
“I’m so excited. It’s for my country,” said Cui, who also had the distinction of winning China’s first gold medal at the Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games.
The 39-year-old, who will turn 40 this December, believes age is no barrier as she sets her sights on another Paralympic appearance at Los Angeles 2028.
“I will be above 40 years old but for me age is just a number. I feel more confident now and I can recover faster than before. I’m confident about my participation at LA28 Paralympics,” she said.
Kazakhstan’s Tursynay Kabyl and Indonesia’s Ni Nengah Widiasih completed the podium, claiming silver and bronze, respectively. The Para powerlifting competition, which began on Monday, will continue until 24 October, with 164 athletes from 26 nations competing across 23 medal events.
