Van Cong brings home gold from World Para Powerlifting Championships
VOV.VN - Vietnamese disabled weightlifter Le Van Cong on August 23 won a gold medal at the 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships which is getting underway in Saudi Arabia.
Cong competed in the men’s 49kg category against 26 other participants, including world-leading and Paralympic champion Omar Qarada of Jordan who was considered the strongest competitor in the event.
The Long An native succeeded in lifting 172kg in the first attempt, but failed to reach 176kg in the second attempt. However, he managed to lift 176kg in the third attempt to successfully bag a gold medal.
Omar Qarada of Jordan came second after recording his best result of 175kg. Third position went to powerlifter Kayapinar of Turkey, lifting 173kg in total.
The ongoing powerlifting competition for athletes with disability is currently taking place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates from August 22 to August 30. It is a compulsory tournament to select finalists for upcoming the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, France.
This year’s championships has attracted 473 athletes from around the world. Vietnam has sent four competitors to the tournament, namely Le Van Cong in the men’s 49kg, Nguyen Binh An in the men’s 54kg, Dang Thi Linh Phuong in the women’s 50kg, and Chau Hoang Tuyet Loan in the women’s 55kg.
It marks Cong’s second-world gold medal, having bagged one gold, three silver medals, and set two records at previous events.
Cong is currently Vietnam’s best disabled athlete as he is the world and Paralympic record holder lifting 183.5kg and 183kg, respectively.
