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UPDATED: September-18-2008 Web Exclusive
Lifting Power, Lifting Dreams
Eygptian powerlifter Othman aims to create one world record after another
By CHEN RAN

Eygptian powerlifter Sherif Othman Othman aims to create one world record after another (PHOTO BY CHEN RAN)

On the morning of September 16, 2008 at the Beijing Paralympic village, Wang Jian of China, the Athens Paralympic gold medallist in men's 56-kg powerlifting, received a small gift from Egyptian Sherif Othman Othman, who grabbed the gold from him in the final five days before.

"Wang is my best friend. It's an honor to compete with him," Othman told Beijing Review.

Born on September 15, 1982 in Banmazar of Minya, some 280 km away from Cairo, Othman moved to the capital for work after graduating from university. He has served in an import and export company since then.

His training in powerlifting did not start until the year 2005. In 2006, he made a stunning debut at the World Championships held in Korea, winning a silver medal in the men's 56-kg category with a record of 175 kg.

"Wang Jian won the gold and I won the silver. It was an honor for me to get the silver, for I trained only one year," Othman recalls. "I decided I would surpass Wang and win a gold medal one day."

Soon after returning home, Othman entered the training camp the country set up for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. He trained hard there six days a week to realize his gold medal dream.

The total medal count that the 55-member Egyptian delegation had at the Beijing Paralympics was 12; with 10--4 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze--in powerlifting.

The accomplishment that the team achieved, according to coach Ali Hassan Elsaadany, can be partly attributed to the lifters' strong desire for victory. Othman is no exception.

"I did a lot of research on the Internet before the match. For example, searching for opponents' background information, checking their recent best results, and readjusting my own physical and mental conditions. We knew Beijing and liked it very much even before our arrival. It felt as if we were in our home in Egypt after we moved in, which helped us in the match as well," Othman stated.

The Paralympic record of men's 56-kg powerlifting was 193.5 kg; the world record was 194 kg. Othman managed to lift 195 kg in his first attempt in the final on September 11; Wang Jian, the former world record holder, lifted 180 kg. In the second attempt, Othman took 200 kg without any difficulty; Wang failed to take up 187.5 kg. In the third attempt, Othman created a new world record of 202.5 kg; Wang failed again and finished fifth.

"Wang was not in a good condition, but he is still the best lifter. We are best friends, and I think whether he or I win the gold, the other will be happy with that," he said

He said his parents, fiancé, five siblings and colleagues will show up at the airport to welcome him home.

"I'll get married soon," he smiled sweetly.

The next goal for Othman is to take the gold at the World Championships held in France. He revealed that he would lower his category from 56 kg to 52.

"I had a discussion on the issue with my coach before the Beijing Paralympics, but was rejected because we already had a great lifter Osama Elserngawy for the 52-kg category. I'll try it in France if it is approved," he told Beijing Review.

"It's a bigger challenge. The world record for the 52-kg category is 190 kg, but the best results in recent years were no higher than 180 kg. If I could break the world record, I'll definitely become the best of the best," he noted.

Othman has a role model--Ahmed Gomma, who over two decades won five Paralympic medals, and was world champion for 10 consecutive years and world records holder.

"Gomma competed in five Paralympics from 1988 to 2004. My goal is eight. I'll keep training in powerlifting until I die," he said.


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