PARIS.- The champion Venezuelan powerlifter didn’t know when his hands would stop shaking after setting a Paris Paralympic record on Thursday.
“I am speechless, I am excited,” said Clara Sarahy Fuentes Monasterio after lifting 124 kilograms in the bench press for the gold medal in the women’s 50 kilogram category.
It’s been a busy three years for the Paralympic athlete since she lifted 97 for the 41kg bronze medal in Tokyo. Her body changed after giving birth to her son Liam last year.
“I feel much stronger now,” said Fuentes Monasterio, who credited her son as “my motivation.”
Fuentes Monasterio, who uses a wheelchair, said her muscle mass increased “a lot” after giving birth. She did not expect it would lead to a Paralympic record.
“My hands are still shaking. I don’t know when they will stop,” she said after being cheered by the small but raucous crowd at the Arena de La Chapelle.
The rowdy spectators ignored Fuentes Monasterio’s failure to attempt an even heavier lift. Weightlifters only have three attempts. She missed her first attempt at 120, but succeeded on the second and immediately led the nine-woman field.
Other participants
China’s Xiao Jinping took the silver medal after her opening lift of 119 and Britain’s Olivia Broome was all smiles after lifting 119 in the third round for bronze. It was her second consecutive bronze in the category.
Spain’s Loida Zabala Ollero, who finished last, cried tears of joy after posting a 75 in the third round.
The Paralympic Games have not had the same number of spectators as the Olympics, but the organisers say that they have been a resounding success for the French capital.
