Powerlifting is the ultimate test of upper body strength. Competitors must lower the bar to their chest, hold it motionless on their chest and then press it upwards to arms length with locked elbows.
Both men and women compete in open competition and competitors are divided into 10 different weight categories.
Powerlifting for athletes with a disability made its first appearance in 1964 at the second Paralympic Games in Tokyo as ‘Weightlifting’. Later it changed from ‘Weightlifting’ to ‘Powerlifting’.
All athletes with a minimal disability compete in open competition.
The sport is available to people with spinal cord injuries, amputees and people with cerebral palsy.
There are special additions for amputees to compensate for body weight.