Mexico's Amalia Perez lifted 128 kilograms in the Women's Powerlifting 52 kilogram final on Wednesday, September 10 to win the gold medal and set a new Paralympic record at the BUAA Gymnasium.

Perez effortlessly smashed the 127.5kg record set by Russia's Tamara Podpalnaya at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.

In an attempt to smash her own record, she made a no-lift at 131kg.

Perez has gone one better at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games after winning a silver medal in Athens and Sydney. She won a gold medal at the 2007 Regional Games in Brazil, at the 2006 World Championships and the 2005 Regional Games in Egypt. She also won the silver medal at the 2002 World Championships.

Podpalnaya was not to be ruled out though. Performing the bench press without straps, she lifted a clean 117.5kg and 125kg but failed to match Perez, making a no-lift at 127.5kg, and won the silver medal.

Thailand's Samkhoun Anon won the bronze medal with clean lifts of 92.5kg and 95kg, but made a no-lift in her third attempt at 100kg.

The Powerlifting events continue Wednesday afternoon with the Women's 56kg and the Men's 52kg category.

Amalia Perez celebrates her victory. [Xinhua]

Amalia Perez celebrates her victory. [Xinhua]

(BOCOG September 10, 2008)