Dubai is set to host the final World Para Powerlifting event of the season with Paralympic and World stars looking to end the year on a high with powerful performance at the Fazza 12th Dubai 2022 Para Powerlifting World Cup which gets underway on Thursday.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai 2022 World Cup will witness 243 athletes 40 countries vying for not just medals but important rankings for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at the Dubai Club For People of Determination.

The event will also be held under new Technical rules and regulation in age groups – Rookie, NextGen, Elite and Legend, a rule that allows a lifter to win medals in multiple age groups. Two medal types – Best Lift and Total Lift – were also established in this rule.

The hosts UAE will have 14 players led by their seasoned Paralympic star Mohammed Khamis Khalaf, who will be out to get the important Paralympic qualification ranking points much like his compatriots including Mohammad Fahad, Adel Shanbih and the promising Ayesha Almutaiwei (women’s over 86 kg).

“My body feels good. And I am hoping to get a medal at the Fazza Championships this time as well. This event will be a preparation for the World Championships taking place also in Dubai next year.

“The main target will be to earn rankings in the qualification to Paris 2024 Paralympics,” said Khalaf, who along with Almutaiwei and Shabih claimed gold medals at the recent IWAS World Games 2022.

The 16-year-old Almutaiwei already has seven medals including five gold in her rookie year and is a strong prospect for the Paris 2024 Games.

Mexico’s Perez to headline field

Among the biggest stars in action will be Mexican legend Amalia Perez, the four-time Paralympic champion and the reigning world champion in the up to 61kg class. The 45-year-old also captured gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

She would be aiming for yet another gold after her success at the 2022 Parapan American Open Championships in July.

Jordan will have their Tokyo 2020 Paralympic winners Omar Qarada and Abdelkareem Khattab, who went on a gold medal and record-breaking spree since his gold medals and world record show at Dubai 2021 World Cup.

While Qarada will be the favourite in men’s -49kg, Khattab would be aiming for yet another record-breaking show in men’s -97kg.

Khattab, also the reigning world champion, will in fact return to one of his favourite venues and this time he is aiming to set a new record on 250kg in the -97kg.

“I already have the world record in - 88kg, which is my pet event, I want to set a new world record in -97kg. Here in Dubai, I will be competing in this new category. I hope I can reach my target here which will be also the pathway to Paris 2024 Paralympics,” said Khattab, who is expected to have a strong challenge from local star Khalaf and Indian Commonwealth Games champion Sudhir.

‘Rehearsal of World Championships’

Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Fazza International Championships for People of Determination, welcomed the participants to Dubai, and added that the stage is all set to host the Dubai 2022 World Cup.

For his part, Majid Al-Usaimi, Director of the Fazza International Championships for People of Determination, thanked His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, sponsor of the event, for his great support and interest in People of Determination.

He pointed out that the 12th edition will be one of the strongest tournaments from the perspective that it is part of an important stages of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games, in addition to applying the new amendments to the game and the competition at the Dubai 2022 World Cup.

“The event is a rehearsal for the World Powerlifting Championships to be hosted by Dubai next August, especially since the administrative and technical development of Fazza Championships has earned us the world's confidence in hosting major world championships in various parasports,” he added.

The women's up to 41 kg will open the Dubai 2022 World Cup on Thursday with five more events to follow.

UAE Team

Men: Saif Alzaabi (Men's Up to 72 kg), Salem Almarzooqi (Men's Up to 72 kg), Zayed Alansaari (Men's Up to 80 kg), Saud Abdulaziz Rahmatalla (Men's Up to 88 kg), Adel Shanbih (Men's Up to 88 kg), Ahmed Khamis Alblooshi (men’s over 107), Abdalla Alnaqbi (Men's Up to 107 kg), Khaled Alhammadi (Men's Up to 107 kg), Mohammed Khamis Khalaf (Men's Up to 97 kg), Mohammad Fahad (Men’s upto 97kg), Abdulla Alarimi (Men’s Upto 97kg)

Female: Mozah Alzeyoudi (Women's Up to 55 kg), Haifa Alnaqbi (Women's Up to 67 kg), Ayesha Almutaiwei (Women's Over 86 kg)