Paris Paralympics 2024 Para-Powerlifting: Ashok Malik finishes sixth in men’s up to 65kg event

India’s Paris Paralympics 2024 para-powerlifting campaign suffered a big setback as medal hopeful Ashok Malik finished sixth in the men’s up to 65 kg event final round on Thursday.

Ashok finished in a disappointing position after registering a best lift of 199kg in the event, which was higher than his previous personal best of 197kg that he achieved in the Para Powerlifting World Cup 2024,

Despite his impressive performance, the nine-time national para-powerlifting champion will finish his Paralympic Games debut without any medal.

Ashok began the final match with a valid lift of 196kg, briefly topping the table after a confident start. However, he soon dropped down the table as the 2022 Asian Para Games gold medalist Zou Yi opened with a monstrous valid lift of 210kg, and Great Britain’s Mark Swan lifted 203kg and 208kg in his first two attempts.

The 35-year-old improved his standing slightly by registering a valid lift of 199kg on his second try but failed to lift 206kg on his third attempt, effectively ruling him out of the Paris Paralympics 2024 para-powerlifting medal contention.

The result will be a crushing blow to the veteran para-powerlifter from Haryana, who was expected to provide a tougher challenge in the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024 para-powerlifting event.

Meanwhile, Chinese para-powerlifter Zou Yi clinched a gold medal in his Paralympic debut in the event with a best lift of 215kg. Mark Swan won the silver medal with his 213kg and Algeria’s Hocine Bettir won a second-consecutive Paralympic silver medal with a best lift of 209kg.

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Paris Paralympics 2024 Para-Powerlifting Men’s up to 65kg Final Full Results

1. Zou Yi (People's Republic of China) - 215kg
2. Mark Swan (Great Britain) - 213kg
3. Hocine Bettir (Algeria) - 209kg
4. Amir Jafari Arangeh (Islamic Republic of Iran) - 206kg
5. Thomas Kure (Nigeria) - 205kg
6. Ashok Malik (India) - 199kg
7. Sherif Osman (Egypt) - 198kg
8. Jorge Carinao (Chile) - 193kg