TEHRAN – Iran’s Mohsen Bakhtiar snatched a bronze medal at the 2024 Para Powerlifting World Cup on Friday.

After three lifts, Bakhtiar finished in third place with a total of 555kg in the Men's Up to 59 kg.

Salvadoran Herbert Aceituno won the gold medal with 577kg and Egyptian Mohamed Elmenyawy won the silver with 572kg.

Overall, a total of 313 athletes from 66 nations will be up in action aiming to improve their Paralympic rankings one last time, making it the most competitive fields ahead of the Games.

Powerlifting powerhouses and Tokyo 2020 medal toppers China, Nigeria, Jordan, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt among others have brought in their top names to stamp their dominance ahead of the Games. 

Iran should be hoping to have several podium finishes in the middleweight and heavy weight categories with Rouhollah Rostami (men -80 kg), Aliakbar Gharibshahi (men’s -107 kg) and Ahmad Aminzadeh (men’s +107) in their ranks.

The competition kicked off on June 20 in Tbilisi, Georgia and will run until June 26.