Paralympic Powerlifting

ExCeL Centre, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London
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Event has ended
This event ended on Wednesday 5th of September 2012
Admission
Ticket only
Location

ExCeL Centre, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London

Nearest Tube/Rail Stations
Custom House 0.12 miles

One of the original sports in the Paralympics, power lifting has been part of the Paralympic games since 1964. Although it is one of the longest established events in the Paralympics it does not always appear as such because it was originally called weightlifting and was limited to a very specific type of lifting and was undertaken only by competitors with spinal cord injuries.

Since then, the sport of power lifting has developed considerably in the Paralympics. Today, the sport includes a wide range of events suitable for athletes with different disabilities. The competitors compete under the same rules as the able bodied competitors but are able to lie down without their legs touching the floor, unlike with the able bodied competitors who are required to keep their feet on the floor.

Simply put, the competitors try to lift as much as they can whilst straightening their arms above their chest. The sport is a test of upper body strength and lower body movement is discouraged. Competitors are split both into men and women but also into one of ten weight categories to ensure equality.

The first year that weightlifting was part of the Paralympics it was reasonably restricted but by 1970 the events and the number of competitors increased to include those with cerebral palsy and amputees as well as a blanket ‘other’ disability group. Women took part for the first time in 2000.

Tags: Sport

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