Asian gold and world record for British powerlifter Ali Jawad in Kuala Lumpur

By Gary Anderson

November 4 - Britain's Ali Jawad took gold and smashed the world record in the under 59 kilogrammes class by 10.5kg at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Asian Open Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

There was also a world record for Nigeria's Esther Osa Oyema in the women's under 55kg category.

Originally form Lebanon, the 24-year-old Leeds-based Jawad produced an impressive display of strength and skill to take top honours at the Titiwangsa Stadium to banish memories of a disappointing performance at London 2012 when he finished just outside the medal positions.

This time he was not to be denied as a second round lift of 185kg was enough to secure him gold before he went on to set a world record mark of 185.5kg with his fourth round lift, obliterating the mark set by Russia's Ildar Bedderdinov at the IPC Powerlifting European Championships in February.

Nigerian Anthony Azunna Ulonnam repeated his performance from London 2012 taking the silver medal ahead of Iran's Hamzeh Mohammadi in third.

"I am only 59kg so to lift 185.5kg and break a world record is something many athletes can only dream of," said Jawad.

"I am thrilled by my performance and it is a great stepping stone to the World Championships next year.

"I would like to thank [coach] Tom Whittaker and British Weight Lifting (BWL) for believing in me when times have been tough.

"Hopefully this is the first of many more golds to come."

Ali Jawad shows off his Asian Championship gold medal at the Titiwangsa Stadium in Kuala Lumpur

There was also another gold and another world record for Nigeria as Oyema followed her compatriot Yakubu Adesokan's performance yesterday, taking the under 55kg title and setting a new mark of 122kg in the process.

The 31-year-old added seven kilograms to the previous best set by Russia's Tamara Podpalnaya to finish ahead of China's Shanshan Shi and Vietnam's Hoang Tuyet Loan Chau.

In the women's under 50kg category, a new star was born as 16-year-old Iranian Zahraa Al-Maliki took gold with an Asian record lift of 71kg to edge just ahead of Khadija Benkrara of Morocco who managed an effort of 70kg with Kazakhstan's Kabira Askarova taking bronze.

There was another Asian record in the women's under 45kg class, but it was not enough for China's Dandan Hu whose effort of 85kg was only managed to secure a silver behind Mexican Laura Cerero Gabriel who took gold with a world record equalling 95kg.

Another Mexican Rosaura Rodriguez Padilla completed the podium with the bronze.

Iran's 16-year-old Zahraa Al-Maliki (centre) announced herself on the international stage with gold in the women's under 50kg class

China's Paralympic champion Qi Feng was the victim of the biggest shock of the day as he finished outside the medal positions in the men's under 54kg class.

Vietnam's Binh An Nguyen oclaimed the Asian title with an effort of 170kg, finishing ahead of Iranian Samad Abbasi, while Nigeria's Ikechukwu Christian Obichukwu secured another medal for Nigeria with bronze.

Competition at the Titiwangsa Stadium is due to continue until Thursday (November 7).