Paralympics

Powerlifter Lê Văn Công is Việt Nam's gold medal hope at the Paris Paralympics on August 28 - September 8. Photo Việt Nam Sports Team

Thanh Hà

Every day, Lê Văn Công engages in a rigorous routine of training, physical therapy, and medication. These efforts are all geared towards preparing him for the Paris Paralympic Games later this August.

Công is Việt Nam's most successful para-athlete of all time. He made history as the first Vietnamese athlete to win a Paralympic gold medal in the men's 49kg category at the Rio Games in 2016.

At 40 years old, Công has twice claimed the title of world champion and currently holds both the world and Paralympic records with lifts of 183.5kg and 183kg, respectively.

Powerlifter Lê Văn Công is taken care of by a doctor after training. Photo courtesy of Lê Văn Công

A shoulder injury prevented him from defending his gold medallist title - instead he bagged a silver - at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and from competing in other international events. Despite this setback, Công has persevered, making a strong comeback in 2023. Now, he is poised to make history in Paris as the first Vietnamese athlete to win medals in three consecutive Paralympic Games.

"I train and undergo physical therapy every day. It’s exhausting and painful," Công told Việt Nam News.

"I’ve had this serious shoulder injury for many years, but I haven’t had the time to treat it thoroughly because of the many tournaments, including the Paralympic qualifiers, that I had to compete in.

"It's now a chronic injury and difficult to fully recover from. I’ve learned to live and compete with it. I have my own way of managing the pain and will give my best effort in every competition."

Powerlifter Lê Văn Công (centre) poses with Vietnamese coaches after winning the 2024 World Cup gold medal in Thailand in May. Photo Việt Nam Sports Team

Unlike the Olympics, where athletes qualify based on high results, para-athletes must participate in all qualifying tournaments and maintain a top-eight ranking to secure their Paralympic spot.

After the Tokyo Games, Công participated in several events and officially secured his spot in June for Paris.

Among his notable achievements are two gold medals at the 12th ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia in 2023, where he has dominated since 2007; a gold medal at the 2023 World Championships; a bronze at the Asian Para Games; and two golds at the 2024 Pattaya World Cup.

Powerlifter Lê Văn Công determines to enter Paris Paralympics' top three in the men's 49kg class. Photo Việt Nam Sports Team

These accomplishments have cemented Công’s status as one of the world's strongest para-powerlifters and a title favourite in every competition, including the coming Paralympics.

If he succeeds, Lê Văn Công will make history winning medals in three straight Paralympics. Photo courtesy of Lê Văn Công

In Paris, Công will face familiar rivals, including Omar Sami Hamadeh Qarada of Jordan, the reigning Asian Para Games and Paralympics champion; Abdullah Kayapınar of Turkey, bronze medallist at the 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships; Parvin Mammadov of Azerbaijan, Tokyo Paralympics bronze medallist; and Al-Sudani Muslim of Iraq, silver medallist at the Asian Para Games.

"Apart from these powerhouses, there are two or three others who are considered medal favourites. My rivals are really strong, but I’m confident in my ability to compete well against them. My goal is to finish in the top three at least so that I can secure a medal in three consecutive Paralympics," Công said.

Vietnamese Lê Văn Công (centre) tops the world powerlifting championship in 2023. Photo Việt Nam Sports Team

As one of the most experienced members of the national team, Công feels the pressure to push himself harder than others. “Beyond the Limit” is his motto as he strives for peak fitness and form to achieve the best possible results.

Công's best lift in the last 12 months was 176kg, which helped him top the world rankings in 2023, surpassing the Tokyo gold medal result of 173kg.

The 17th Paralympic Games will be held from August 28 to September 8, featuring around 4,400 athletes competing in 22 sports. Powerlifting events will take place between September 4 and 8 at Porte de La Chapelle Arena, with 20 events in total, divided equally between men and women. VNS