Hosts United Arab Emirates opened their account at the Fazza 12th Para Powerlifting World Cup with four medals, including a gold, thanks to the efforts of Adel Shanbih and Mozah Alzeyoudi at their home venue - Dubai Club for People of Determination.

Shanbih produced a strong show clearing the bar all three attempts and settled for the bronze with 188kg in Best Lift category in men’s -88kg. Algeria’s Mohammed Hadj Ali took the gold medal with a powerful lift of 200 kg.

In the Total Lift, the Dubai Club trainee Shanbih totalled 554 to take the gold making the hosts proud of his show.

Later, Alzeyoudi added to UAE’s tally with two silver medals in the women’s up to 55kg, thanks to her 80 kg Best lift and Total lift of 231 kg.

The day also saw a few records with Kyrgyzstan’s Azizbek Zamirbek Uluu setting a new world record with his 128 kg lift in men’s up to 54kg, while Chile’s Juan Carlos Garrido Acevedo getting a new Americas record in men’s up to 65kg with his final lift of 191kg.

Meanwhile, Iranian lifters ruled second day’s show winning three gold thanks to Amir Jafari Arangeh (men’s up to 65kg) and Mohsen Bakhtiar (men’s up to 59kg) produced powerful shows.

Around 200 lifters from 40 nations are competing in the final World Para Powerlifting World Cup of the season with Paralympic and World stars in the star-studded line-up in the four-day competition.

The event, that runs until Sunday (18 December), offers important ranking in the qualification pathway to the Paris 2022.