Powerlifter Mamalos wins World Cup, eyes Rio gold
Greek powerlifting champion Pavlos Mamalos earned gold on the final day of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Powerlifting World Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, making him a favorite for the 2016 Paralympic Games this September in Rio.
The Greek lifter, who has already claimed two Paralympic medals, eased to a triumph in the 107-kilogram category as he lifted his own weight more than twice, achieving a lift of 235 kg.
He beat his closest opponent, Malaysian Mohd Shamil Md Saad, by no less than 39 kg!
Mamalos earned silver in Beijing 2008 and bronze in London 2012, so this September he aims at completing his medal collection with the elusive gold in Rio.
Another Greek lifter, Constantinos Dimou, landed the silver medal at the World Cup as he finished second in the over-107 kg category with 220 kg. The winner, South Korea’s Keun Bae Chun, lifted 230 kg, i.e. five kilos less than Mamalos who belongs to a lighter category!
Powerlifting, the Paralympics' answer to weightlifting, has long been a sport with great success for Greek athletes.
