Powerlifting success lifts Egypt to 26th in medal ranking at Rio Paralympics

Egyptian Paralympic athletes have turned in notable performances this week at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro summer games, racking up three gold, five silver and three bronze medals.

Much of Egypt’s success has come in weightlifting, as 10 of the 11 medals were won in powerlifting events. Runner Fathalla Mohamed captured the only other medal, finishing second in the 100-meter dash on Sunday. Fathalla and Mohamed Abdel Latif will compete in the 400-meter dash on Thursday evening.

The week’s success has lifted Egypt to 26th in national medal rankings among the 78 countries in competition. Egypt now has the fourth highest medal total of African countries and the second highest total of Arab countries, just behind Tunisia.

Egypt’s most recent medals came on Wednesday in weightlifting events. Amr Mosaad finished second in the over 107-kilogram powerlifting event, successfully lifting 235 kilograms. Mohamed Ahmed won silver in the under 107-kilogram event, having lifted 233 kilograms.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, Egyptian powerlifter Mohamed Eldib took gold in the under 97-kilogram competition, setting a new world record by lifting 237 kilograms.

On Sunday, Egypt’s Fatma Omar took silver in the under 61-kilogram category,lifting 140 kilograms.

Egypt also saw success in weightlifting last week, as Sherif Othman and Rehab Ahmed captured gold and silver medals.

The Egyptian men’s national sitting volleyball team defeated host country Brazil’s team on Sunday, advancing to the semifinals. Egypt is now scheduled to play Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday.

Egyptian table tennis player Ibrahim Hamadtou has also garnered significant attention at this year’s Paralympics games. Hamadtou, who lost both arms in a train accident when he was 10 years old and made his Paralympic debut this year, competes holding the paddle in his mouth and using his foot to enter the ball into service. Although he has not medaled, the 43-year-old athlete has won the respect of spectators and fellow competitors.

Egypt has sent 45 athletes to the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, who are competing in five sports: athletics, powerlifting, men’s sitting volleyball, table tennis and swimming.

Egyptian athletes have now participated in 11 paralympic games, since the competition’s debut in Heidelberg in 1972, according to the website of the Paralympic Games. In that time, Egypt has won 165 medals – 46 gold, 59 silver and 60 bronze medals – with most of the country’s success coming in athletics and powerlifting competitions.