Paris, France — Venezuelan powerlifting champion Clara Sarahy Fuentes Monasterio set a new Paralympic record on Thursday, bench-pressing 124 kilograms to win gold in the women’s 50kg weight class at the Paris Paralympics.
Fuentes Monasterio, visibly emotional, struggled to find words after her record-breaking lift. “I’m out of words, I’m emotional,” she said, reflecting on her achievement. This triumph follows a challenging three years for the 27-year-old athlete, who previously secured a bronze medal in the 41kg category at the Tokyo Paralympics with a lift of 97 kilograms.
Since then, Fuentes Monasterio has experienced significant personal changes, including the birth of her son, Liam, last year. She attributed her improved strength to her child, describing him as “my motivation.”
The powerlifter, who uses a wheelchair, noted a substantial increase in her muscle mass following childbirth, which she did not anticipate would lead to a Paralympic record. “My hands are still trembling. I don’t know when they will stop,” she remarked, basking in the acclaim of the enthusiastic crowd at La Chapelle Arena.
Despite her remarkable performance, Fuentes Monasterio did not attempt a heavier load. Powerlifters are permitted only three attempts, and although she initially failed her first attempt at 120 kilograms, she succeeded on her second attempt, securing her lead in the nine-woman competition.
In powerlifting, athletes with various impairments—including orthopedic disabilities, cerebral palsy, neurological conditions, or paraplegia and tetraplegia—perform lifts with the barbell, guided by a referee’s command. The bar must be lowered to the chest and then pressed upward until the arms are fully extended and elbows locked.
The competition is marked by dramatic music, with the atmosphere in the arena shifting from silence during lifts to energetic beats or subdued tunes depending on the outcome.
In the same event, China’s Xiao Jinping earned the silver medal with a lift of 119 kilograms. Britain’s Olivia Broome took the bronze after lifting 119 kilograms in her third attempt, marking her second consecutive bronze in this category. Broome expressed her joy at having her family present, noting, “It’s extra special because I’ve got all my family here. They didn’t get to see this in Tokyo, so I wanted to show them a medal.”
Xiao expressed disappointment at not winning gold. “I wanted the gold,” she said.
Nigeria’s Bose Bejide attempted to surpass Broome for the bronze with a final lift of 118 kilograms but was unsuccessful. Despite this, Broome, who lifted 114 kilograms in her second attempt, solidified her podium position with an additional five-kilogram lift in her final attempt. “I did 12 kilograms more than in Tokyo, so it’s huge,” Broome said.
Spain’s Loida Zabala Ollero, who finished in last place, was moved to tears of joy after lifting 75 kilograms in her third attempt.
In the men’s competition, Egypt’s Mohamed Elmenyawy claimed victory in the 59kg class with a lift of 201 kilograms in the third round. China’s Qi Yongkai won silver with 200 kilograms, and Iran’s Mohsen Bakhtiar secured bronze with a lift of 197 kilograms.
Later on Thursday, the finals for the women’s 55kg and men’s 65kg weight classes were scheduled.
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