Paris (IP) - Ahmad Aminzadeh, competing in the 107+ kg category of para powerlifting, delivered a stellar performance at the 17th Paralympic Games, securing the gold medal and the championship title for Iran.

Iran PressEurope: As the final athlete representing Iran at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Aminzadeh took to the stage on Sunday afternoon. His competition, held at the La Chapelle Arena, saw him face off against strong contenders from Ghana, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Georgia, Ukraine, and Jordan.

Aminzadeh's journey to gold began with a confident lift of 253 kg in his first attempt, immediately putting him 13 kg ahead of his nearest rival and positioning him at the top of the leaderboard. His momentum continued in the second round, where he successfully lifted 258 kg, further solidifying his lead.

In his third and final attempt, with the gold medal already secured, Aminzadeh aimed for 263 kg. Under the intense gaze of the judges, he flawlessly completed the lift, earning three white lights, confirming his victory.

With this impressive 263 kg lift, Aminzadeh not only clinched the championship but also became the eighth athlete from the Iranian delegation to win a gold medal at these Games.

It's worth noting that the world and Paralympic record in this category is an extraordinary 310 kg, set by the late Siamand Rahman, a legendary figure in para powerlifting. While Aminzadeh's performance was remarkable, Rahman's record remains a towering achievement in the sport.

The competition took an unexpected turn when Jamil Al-Shibli, the defending champion who previously won gold due to a lower body weight compared to Mansour Pourmirzaei, withdrew after failing to lift 242 kg. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian and Georgian competitors secured the second and third positions with lifts of 251 kg and 250 kg, respectively.

Aminzadeh's triumph marks a golden conclusion for Iran at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, adding yet another achievement to the nation's proud sporting legacy.

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