Gold for Newson

Lifting in the under 40kg class Zoe opened with a 77.5kg lift which was comfortable moved on to 82.5kg. Unfortunately Zoe failed the 85kg on a technicality but her previous lift won her the Gold Medal in the Junior section.

In the senior section Zoe was placed 4th behind Nazmiye Muslu from Turkey won the gold medal with a world record performance of lifting 105kg.

Earlier that day, the IPC Powerlifting World Championships began with a colourful Opening Ceremony, with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Cultural Troupe being one of the highlights. The Opening Ceremony also included a parade of athletes who participate in the World Championships, as well as the playing of the host country’s National Anthem “NegaraKu”. A total of 292 athletes from 49 countries will be at the competition.

Competitions will continue through to 30 July at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium Titiwangsa, with athletes using their performances to measure their international standing. Athletes will also be competing to prepare for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, were Powerlifting will be part of the Summer Games programme.