Sherif Osman Wins Egypt’s First Gold Medal at Rio Paralympic Games

Sherif Osman won Egypt’s first gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games after a record-breaking performance in the 59kg powerlifting event.

Osman, who previously won a gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, broke his own records during Friday night’s event. Osman’s first attempt saw him successfully lift 203kg. His fourth attempt saw him lift the world-record lift of 211kg.

Great Britain’s Ali Jawad, the previous world champion in the 59kg category, finished in second place with a 190kg lift, while China’s Quanxi Yang secured the bronze medal with a 176kg effort.

Osman began his powerlifting career in 2005 and has won several gold medals at various powerlifting championships across the world.

“I feel unbelievable and I feel I’m in the middle of the road because I have a very big dream to win six gold medals in Paralympic Games,” Osman said to the Paralympics media team after his gold medal winning lift in Rio.

“It’s an amazing feeling and I must thank all of Brazil for their support.”