Google continues its tradition of featuring daily animated Doodles to celebrate the Paris Paralympics, with a delicious French twist added to the Doodle. Powerlifting is currently underway at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, with 20 competitions split equally between men and women. One of the fastest-growing sports in the Paralympic movement, powerlifting showcases exceptional upper body strength as athletes lift weights up to three times their body weight. The sport is governed by World Para Powerlifting and is open to male and female athletes with eligible physical impairments. With a specially designed bench and strict weight standards, powerlifting has become one of the most inclusive sports in the Paralympic program since its debut in 1984.
Powerlifting at the Paralympic Games: A Showcase of Strength and Determination
Powerlifting holds a significant place in the Paralympic Games, demonstrating the exceptional strength and resilience of athletes with physical impairments. Here is a comprehensive look into the sport, its history, and its current status at the Paris Paralympics:
Background:
Powerlifting made its debut at the Paralympic Games in 1984 in New York City. The sport involves athletes lifting weights up to three times their body weight, showcasing their incredible upper body strength. Since its inception, powerlifting has grown to become one of the most inclusive sports in the Paralympic program, open to both male and female athletes with eligible physical impairments.
Classification:
Athletes in powerlifting are classified based on their level of impairment, which can range from spinal cord injuries to cerebral palsy. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has established 10 different classifications to ensure fair competition.
Competition Format:
Powerlifting competitions consist of three lifts: the bench press, the squat, and the deadlift. Athletes are given three attempts at each lift, and their best attempt is counted towards their final score. The total weight lifted across all three lifts determines the overall winner.
Paris Paralympics 2024:
Powerlifting is one of the core sports at the Paris Paralympics 2024. The competition will take place at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, with 20 events split equally between men and women. The event promises to showcase some of the world's strongest and most determined athletes.
FAQs:
1. What are the eligibility criteria for powerlifting athletes? Athletes with eligible physical impairments, including spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, and limb deficiencies, can participate in powerlifting.
2. How is powerlifting different from weightlifting? Weightlifting, also known as Olympic weightlifting, involves lifting weights overhead in two main lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk. Powerlifting, on the other hand, focuses on lifting weights off the ground using the bench press, squat, and deadlift.
3. What are the safety precautions in powerlifting? Athletes use specially designed benches and strict weight standards to ensure their safety. Spotters are present to assist athletes during lifts, and medical staff is on standby in case of emergencies.
4. Has powerlifting been featured in previous Paralympic Games? Powerlifting has been a regular feature at the Paralympic Games since its debut in 1984. It has consistently showcased the strength and determination of athletes with physical impairments.
5. What are some of the notable powerlifters in Paralympic history?
Jackson Warne, the son of legendary cricketer Shane Warne, recently visited the home ground of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, where a gallery has been named after his father. Speaking about his visit, Jackson expressed his delight and gratitude towards the team for honoring his father's contribution and legacy in the cricket world. He also had the chance to meet with current head coach Rahul Dravid, who had replaced Warne as captain during his playing days with the Royals.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson praises Axar Patel's impressive performance as captain for Delhi Capitals, leading the team to a convincing win over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. Despite a slow start, Axar bowled four overs straight and finished with figures better than LSG's star spinner Kuldeep Yadav. With the bat, Axar provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 34 off 20 balls, while teammate KL Rahul sealed the win with an unbeaten half-century, also becoming the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in IPL. Watson commends both players for their composure and adaptability, highlighting their contributions to Delhi's success.
Indian cricketers expressed their support and pride for the Indian Army's retaliation against Pakistan through coordinated airstrikes on terror camps. From quoting the Mahabharata to saluting the armed forces, players like Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina stood in unison with the rest of the country in the face of cross-border tensions. Meanwhile, England cricketer Sam Billings, currently playing in Pakistan, hopes for a de-escalation of the situation.
Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah reflected on his early days with Mumbai Indians and the advice he received from legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Bumrah credits Tendulkar for helping him overcome the pressure and perform well for the team. He also discussed his team's performance in the ongoing IPL 2025.
In a nail-biting NBA Western Conference semifinal series opener, the Denver Nuggets pulled off a surprising upset against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Forward Aaron Gordon's 25-foot 3-pointer with four seconds left sealed the 121-119 victory for the Nuggets, despite trailing by 14 points in the third quarter. Serbian star Nikola Jokic also contributed a career-high 42 points to the Nuggets' stunning comeback.
The Denver Nuggets started their second-round series with a solid performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite trailing by 10 points at halftime, the Nuggets were able to secure a win thanks to Aaron Gordon's game-winning shot. However, it was Nikola Jokic who led the way for Denver with another impressive stat line.
The bond between NBA stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant started long before they were teammates on the Golden State Warriors. Back in 2010, the two formed a friendship while playing on the same FIBA World Cup team. During dinner one night, Curry revealed his plans to propose to his girlfriend Ayesha, and Durant was one of the first people to know. Now, years later, the two have reflected on that moment and how their friendship has evolved since then.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a thrilling 2-run victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 match held at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB's Romario Shepherd emerged as the match hero, smashing 53 runs in just 14 balls and hitting massive sixes in the last over to lead his team to victory. Despite CSK being already knocked out of the playoffs race, RCB's win has pushed them to the top spot of the IPL points table. After the match, Shepherd shared his thoughts on his game-changing performance and how he executed those big hits which left everyone stunned.
The struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad have made a crucial addition to their squad by signing all-rounder Harsh Dubey as an injury replacement for Smaran Ravichandran for the remaining matches of IPL 2025. With impressive stats in domestic cricket, Dubey is expected to boost SRH's performance in their upcoming match against Delhi Capitals. However, this move comes after Smaran himself was brought in as an injury replacement for Adam Zampa, making for an interesting twist.
In a nail-biting match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, Yash Dayal proved to be the hero for RCB with his exceptional last over performance. He not only took the crucial wicket of CSK captain MS Dhoni but also executed three natty yorkers to secure a 2-run victory for his team. Dayal's composure, execution, and work ethic were praised by his fellow players and experts, making it a must-watch match for cricket enthusiasts. Stay updated on all IPL 2025 news, including points table, teams, schedule, and live scores, as well as other sports news.