The discipline
Para Powerlifting is one of the fastest-growing Paralympic sports, focusing on upper body strength through bench press competitions. The sport has both men's and women's categories, broken down by body weight.
Athletes must lower the bar to their chest, hold it motionless, and press it upward until their elbows are fully extended. They have three attempts and the winner is the athlete who lifts the heaviest weight.
At the Games
A total of 48 athletes (men and women) will compete for 4 gold medals at Riyadh 2025. Qualification will follow WPPO ranking lists, with each National Paralympic Committee limited to one athlete per event.
Entry
The top ten athletes per medal event on the WPPO Riyadh 2025 ISG Ranking Lists, determined by the WPPO coefficient formula, will receive direct quota slots, with each NPC limited to one slot per event.
Ties will be settled under WPPO rules and NPCs with athletes ranked in both categories must confirm their chosen event.
The host nation is guaranteed one slot per event and the WPPO will select four athletes for Bipartite Commission Invitation slots. For this, NPCs must submit an official application through the IPC Online SDMS Entry and Bipartite System.
Athletes must be internationally classified in an eligible Sport Class with either a Confirmed status or Review status with a fixed review date in 2026.
They must also hold an active WPPO Licence for the 2025 season and comply with the minimum age requirements outlined in the WPPO Rules and Regulations.
