At the African Open Para Powerlifting Championships, held in the Algerian city of Oran, Egypt finished atop the medals table with an impressive haul of 19 medals, including nine gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals.
The championships brought together more than 150 athletes representing 24 countries in one of the most important qualification events on the pathway to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Egypt’s remarkable achievement comes at a particularly significant moment for the sport, as it marks the first major official championship following the establishment of the Egyptian Para Powerlifting Federation, highlighting the federation’s immediate impact on the continental stage and its ambitious vision for the future.
The Egyptian delegation featured 20 male and female athletes who showcased exceptional technical quality, determination and competitive spirit throughout the competition.
Egypt’s gold medal winners were Mohamed Al-Menyawi (59kg), Nawal Ramadan (55kg), Hadi Samuel (49kg), Fouad Al-Sayed (65kg), Mohamed Sobhi (88kg), Naglaa Ragab (86kg), Hassan Al-Attar (80kg), Rehab Ahmed (61kg), and Hani Abdel-Hadi (97kg).
The silver medals were secured by Abdel-Rahman Ayman (54kg), Mazhar Tammam (88kg), Enas Al-Gebali (41kg), Safaa Al-Nagar (79kg), Sherif Othman (72kg), Fatma Mahrous (67kg), and Amani Al- Dessouki (+86kg).
Meanwhile, Adel Al-Hout (59kg), Ali Nasr (65kg), and Mahmoud Sabri (80kg) added three bronze medals to Egypt’s tally.
Among the standout performances was reigning Paralympic and world champion Al-Menyawi who successfully defended his continental status by winning gold in the men’s up to 59kg category with a lift of 209kg.
Ahmed, meanwhile, continued her remarkable international success by capturing gold in the women’s up to 61kg category with a lift of 135kg, surpassing her performance at the 2025 World Championships in Cairo. Ramadan also delivered one of the competition’s most memorable performances, claiming her first major international title through a flawless series of successful lifts, while Ragab emerged as a new African champion after winning gold in the women’s up to 86kg category.
Egypt was coached by Shaaban Yehia, assisted by Hani Mahmoud and Ahmed Farghal, while the delegation was headed by Ibrahim Amin, president of the Egyptian Para Powerlifting Federation.
Minister of Youth and Sports Gohar Nabil congratulated the federation and the athletes on their outstanding achievement, praising the team’s determination and commitment throughout the competition. He emphasised that the results reflect the continued growth and leadership of Egyptian Paralympics on both the continental and international levels.
Nabil also noted that the achievement was the product of extensive preparation, intensive training camps and the collective efforts of athletes, coaches and administrators, all working toward a common objective: representing Egypt with distinction on the international stage.
Amin described the championships as a historic milestone for the newly established federation.
“This achievement carries exceptional significance because it comes in the first major official championship since the establishment of the Egyptian Para Powerlifting Federation. Finishing first in Africa with 19 medals is a clear indication that we are moving in the right direction and that the foundations we are building today will support even greater success in the future.
“Our athletes have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, professionalism and determination. They competed against some of the strongest lifters on the continent and proved once again that Egypt remains one of the leading forces in international Para Powerlifting.
“We are proud of every athlete, coach and staff member who contributed to this success. However, we view this achievement not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a much larger journey. The African Championships represent one of the key milestones in our qualification pathway toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Over the coming years, Amin said, “we will continue investing in athlete development, technical preparation and international participation to ensure that Egypt arrives in Los Angeles with a team capable of competing for Paralympic medals and maintaining the country’s proud legacy in Para Powerlifting.
“The federation has ambitious plans for the future, and this success provides us with additional motivation to continue working toward our long-term goals. We remain committed to supporting our athletes and providing them with every opportunity to succeed on the world stage.”
The results in Oran further reinforce Egypt’s status as one of the world’s leading Para Powerlifting nations and provide a strong foundation as preparations intensify for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, scheduled to take place in August that year.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 June, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
Short link: