Vietnam's Le Van Cong wins gold in men's -49kg powerlifting at Rio Paralympics

September 9, 2016

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil &mdash; started yesterday at the 2016 Summer Paralympics with Vietnam's Le Van Cong winning gold after setting a pair of Paralympic records and a new world record of 183kg. Jordan's Omar Qarada claimed silver. Hungary's Nandor Tunkel claimed bronze with a best lift of 155kg.

Qarada traded Paralympic records with Cong in the event, with Cong setting the first at 175kg. Qarada answered back with his own record at 177kg. Cong then lifted 181kg on his third attempt. Cong was given a fourth attempt, where he set a new Paralympic and World record.

The event also featured Togo's Aliou Bawa. His appearance marks the first time Togo has participated at the Paralympic Games. He leaves Rio without making a single successful lift despite three attempts at 113kg, the lightest attempt of any lifter in the class.