The Black Optimists, a Para Powerlifting team from Ghana, will leave for Dubai later today Tuesday, December 13, 2022, to compete in the 12th Fazza Dubai Para Powerlifting World Cup.
Dubai will host the final World Cup of the season, with the world ‘s top powerlifters set to be in action from December 15-18, 2022.
Last season, the event served as the final qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics with 300 para powerlifters from 62 nations vying for the slots.
China emerged the best team with seven gold, two silver and one bronze in the medals’ standings followed by Russia with three gold, three silver and four bronze, and Egypt with three gold and three silver medals.
The Black Optimist clinched 14 medals at the 2022 Cairo African Open Championship in Egypt last month.
On the back of the huge achievement in Cairo, Prince Nyarko who is the Head Coach for Ghana’s Para Powerlifting team revealed to Accra FM Sports about the team’s objective heading into the United Arab Emirates.
”We are always ready for battle because the support given us by our President, Samson Deen is enormous and we are sure of winning medals because we have seen huge improvement with our performance in Cairo,” he stated.
The championship is the second mandatory qualification for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
The Team sponsored by Mr. Samson Deen, the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana president, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports are on a mission to hoist the flag of Ghana high all the way in Dubai.
The Black Optimist held their final training session at their training Gym in the Accra Sports Stadium yesterday ahead of their departure to Dubai for the competition.
Emmanuel Nii Tettey Oku who won two silver medals and two gold in the 72 kilogram of the men’s category will take part in the event with Tahiru Haruna also taking part this time around after been suspended for flouting covid rules in Manchester 2021 and hence not making it to the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Isaac Obeng, the other Para-athlete who recorded his first ever appearance and placed fourth but qualified for the Paralympic Games with a lift of 170kg will also take part in the event.
Prince Nyarko will lead his team all the way in Dubai in their quest to remain competitive at the 12th edition of the FAZZA DUBAI POWERLIFTING WORLD CUP commencing on Thursday, December 15, 2022.