powerlifting at 2024 Paralympics schedule powerlifting at the 2024 summer Paralympics is underway in Paris France from September 4th to September 8th at the port de la Chappel Arena the event features a total of 20 competitions with an equal split of 10 events each for men and women a brief history of para powerlifting para powerlifting recognized as one of the fastest growing Sports within the paralympic movement has gained popularity across nearly 100 Nations the sport focuses on upper body strength with athletes competing in the bench press event during the competition lifters must bring the barbell down to their chest hold it stationary and then press it upward to full arm extension with locked elbows each athlete is given three attempts with the highest successful lift determining the winner it is not unusual for athletes to lift more than three times their body weight showcasing their exceptional strength the sport is governed by World par powerlifting a branch of the international paralympic committee based in Bon Germany it is open to male and female competitors who have one of eight eligible physical impairments athletes compete in a single Sports class divided into 10 weight categories for each gender major competitions include the Paro Olympic games every four years benial World Championships Regional championships every 3 years and annual World Cup and Grand Prix events power powerlifting equipment and rules competitors perform on a specially designed bench that measures 2.1 m in length with a width of 61 CM that tapers to 30 cm near the head area the bench's height ranges is between 48 and 50 cm off the ground weights used in the sport must comply with specific standards as outlined by world power powerlifting regulations power powerlifting Milestones powerlifting was first introduced at the Paralympics in 1984 although weightlifting debuted earlier at the 1964 Tokyo games initially the sport was restricted to male athletes with spinal cord injuries but it has since expanded to include athletes with various physical impairments making it one of the most inclusive Sports in the paralympic program