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The much-anticipated Para Powerlifting competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opened with a mix of world records, Paralympic triumphs, and unexpected disappointments. French athletes Axel Bourlon and Alex Adelaïde faced fierce competition, but neither managed to secure a podium finish. Despite the roaring support from a home crowd, France’s hopes for a medal in Para Powerlifting were dashed on the first day of competition.

Axel Bourlon’s Heartbreak: From Silver in Tokyo to Unranked in Paris

All eyes were on Axel Bourlon, the 2021 Paralympic silver medalist from Tokyo, as he stepped up to the bench in front of a passionate French crowd at the Arena Porte de La Chapelle. The stadium was awash in blue, white, and red, with fans holding their breath as Bourlon took his first attempt. Unfortunately, his initial lift of 163 kilograms was invalidated by two of the three judges, a decision later confirmed by the video challenge.

Kazakhstan’s David Degtyarev took an early lead with a solid first lift of 184 kilograms, while Vietnam’s An Nguyen withdrew from the competition after failing his first attempt at 168 kilograms. With pressure mounting, Bourlon raised the weight to 169 kilograms for his second lift. “I felt good after the first attempt, so I chose to increase the weight,” Bourlon explained. Yet, despite his confidence, the lift was ruled invalid again—this time by all three judges. His third attempt at the same weight also fell short, leaving the Frenchman unranked and devastated. “It’s a huge disappointment because I didn’t come here for this; I wanted a medal, and the best one possible,” Bourlon confessed post-competition.

In the end, Degtyarev clinched gold with a lift of 188 kilograms, followed by Cuba’s Pablo Ramirez Barrientos (185 kg) and China’s Jinglang Yang (179 kg), completing the podium.

Alex Adelaïde’s First Para Powerlifting Appearance Ends in Sixth Place

Earlier in the day, France’s other hope, Alex Adelaïde, competed in his first Paralympic Games as a Para Powerlifter. Despite a promising start, lifting 160 kilograms, Adelaïde struggled with subsequent attempts. His second lift at 165 kilograms was ruled invalid due to a minor delay in the push, and his final attempt at 172 kilograms—an ambitious gamble that could have placed him on the podium—was also unsuccessful. A former bronze medalist in the 4×400 meter relay at the Rio Games, Adelaïde will be looking to redeem himself at the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028.

World and Paralympic Records Broken in the Women’s Event

While the French athletes experienced disappointment, the women’s events saw two Paralympic records and one world record shattered. The intensity and skill on display set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating Paralympic Games.

In the men’s competition, Jordan’s Omar Sami Hamadeh Qarada claimed victory with a lift of 181 kilograms, surpassing Turkey’s Abdullah Kayapinar and Vietnam’s Le Van Cong. Qarada even attempted to break the world record with a 184-kilogram lift but fell just short of the mark. Nonetheless, the records and milestones set on day one ensured that Paris 2024 will be remembered as a historic event in the world of Para Powerlifting.