The Fazza 4th Dubai 2022 Para Powerlifting World Cup got off to a rousing start with Paralympic champion Omar Qarada from Jordan winning the first gold for the Arab nations at the Dubai Club for People of Determination venue on Thursday.

As expected, Qarada had a dominating showing lifting 176kg in his second successful lift to take the gold (Best Lift) in the men’s up to 49kg bodyweight category. India’s Parmjeet Kumar who produced a successful 165kg in his second attempt took the silver, ahead of Hungary’s Nandor Tunkel (159).

Tunkel claimed the gold in the Total Lift category owing to his all his successful lifts.

“I am very happy to win a gold here. I have been to every Fazza World Cup and it’s been a great experience over the years. I am proud to win the first gold for Arab countries. It’s nice to end the year with a gold medal,” said the three-time Paralympic medallist Qarada, who even attempted a new world record but faltered at 184kg.

The world record in men’s 49kg is being held by Vietnam’s Le van Cong since Mexico 2017 World Championships.

Otherwise, it was Brazil powerlifters who dominated the opening day with four gold medals from Lara Aparecida De Lima and Maria Rizonaide Da Silva in the women’s events (Best Lift and Total Lift).

De Lima lifted 99kg and totalled 194kg to take the golds in Best Lift and Total Lift categories of women’s up to 41kg event, while Rizonaide Da Silva claimed the top position with Best lift of 95kg and Total lift of 275kg in women’s up to 50kg.

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.

UAE have their medal hopes rested on their Paralympic hero Mohammed Khamis Khalaf who competes in the men’s up to 97kg event on Saturday.

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