Mayagozel Ekeeva, a representative of the Turkmenistan national para powerlifting team, won a direct quota for the XVII Paralympic Games, which will be held in Paris in 2024, reports Asmannews.ru.
The coach of the Paralympic para powerlifting team, Tahir Shorahanov, noted that to receive a quota, Ekeeva had to be among the eight strongest athletes according to the World Para Powerlifting Organization rating.
The athlete showed her best result at the World Championships in Dubai in 2023, where she lifted a barbell weighing 115 kg in the 86 kg weight category.
According to the coach, for Ekeeva, participation in the Paralympics is the realization of a long-standing dream and an important step in the development of Paralympic sports in Turkmenistan. Shorahanov emphasized that the athlete's success was made possible thanks to the comprehensive support of the President of Turkmenistan and the creation of excellent conditions for training athletes.
At the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris, which will be held from August 28 to September 8, 2024, Mayagozel Ekeeva intends to enter the top five of the world's strongest para-powerlifters, and ideally - to win a prize place.
Intotal, about 4 400 athletes from all over the world will take part in the competition, who will compete in 22 sports at various iconic venues in the French capital.