Cui Zhe Wins First Gold for China at Asian Para Games

Cui Zhe Claims China’s First Gold in Nagoya

Powerlifter Cui Zhe won the women’s 41kg title at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games on Monday, securing China’s opening gold medal of the competition with a 120kg lift, Xinhua reported. This is my fifth Asian Para Games, and I’m so happy to win the first gold for China today, Cui said after the event. By maintaining an unbroken run, she has now participated in all five iterations of the Asian Para Games and secured a gold medal at every single one.

Cui, who is less than two months shy of her 40th birthday, set the tone early in Nagoya. She opened Monday’s competition with a 110kg lift, placing herself 10kg ahead of her nearest rival, Tursynay Kabyl of Kazakhstan. Cui then extended her lead with a 115kg second attempt before sealing the win when Kabyl opted for 104kg on her final turn.

Personal Records and Future Paralympic Goals

Rather than coasting to victory once the gold was secure, Cui pushed for a personal best. She called for 120kg on her final attempt and completed the lift cleanly, surpassing the 119kg personal best she set at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. I focused on staying calm because I had never lifted that weight in competition, she said. I just wanted to get every detail right.

China Daily reported that Cui admitted feeling nervous before the competition because many of her main rivals compete primarily in Europe. Following a consultation regarding her targets with trainer Sun Yafei, her objectives shifted toward advancing her global standing and successfully executing a competitive lift that had previously eluded her during practice sessions. I first needed to steady my mind before going up to lift, she noted of her final preparations.

Looking past the Nagoya meet, Cui views the current competition as a stepping stone toward the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. Having claimed her Paralympic gold in Paris in 2024 following a career spanning back to the Beijing 2008 Games, she intends to use her current momentum to raise her performance further.

Bronze Medal Success for Chen Liuxun

Earlier on Monday, teammate Chen Liuxun secured the delegation’s first medal of the Games. Chen took bronze in the men’s 49kg para powerlifting event with a best lift of 161kg, Xinhua reported.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Para Powerlifting Event

How many times has Cui Zhe competed at the Asian Para Games?

Cui has competed at all five editions of the Asian Para Games and won gold at each one.

What weight did Cui lift to secure the gold medal in Nagoya?

She secured the title with her earlier lifts and successfully cleared 120kg on her final attempt, surpassing her previous personal best of 119kg set at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Which other Chinese athlete medaled on Monday in para powerlifting?

Chen Liuxun won the bronze medal in the men’s 49kg event with a best lift of 161kg.

I view this as a test on the road to the 2028 Paralympics, Cui said. I hope I can lift even better there.

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