Ukraine's Mariana Shevchuk set a new world record in the women's up to 55kg at the World Para Powerlifting European Open Championships on Saturday (26 May). The Ukrainian lifted 130.5kg to beat the previous record of 130kg from Mexico's Amalia Perez at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“I am so happy. After finishing second to Amalia Perez at the Mexico City 2017 World Championships, I continued working hard, going step by step, knowing that I would have another chance soon,” the 22-year-old said.

Shevchuk had failed her third attempt but managed to set the new record in her fourth and final lift.

“Now I am hoping more successes follow, including at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.”

The Ukrainian finished ahead of Turkey's Besra Duman (114kg) and Ireland's Nicola Dore (70kg) in the European podium.

Two sets of medals are awarded in each event at the Championships. The top three powerlifters overall receive gold, silver and bronze. As well as that, the top three European powerlifters also win medals for being the best in their continent.

In the overall podium, Uzbekistan's Ruza Kuzieva (115kg) took silver and Duman bronze.

Men's up to 54kg

After a difficult 2017, where Ali Jawad had his longest Crohn’s flare up since being diagnosed with the disease in 2009, Great Britain's 2014 world champion came back this year for further glory.

He first took bronze at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and now his second successive European title in Berck-Sur-Mer, in the men's up to 54kg thanks to a 165kg lift.

“I am really happy. [To get] a personal best in this new bodyweight and to get three lifts again, it has been the perfect competition for me,” he said.

“I was really disappointed that I could not make it to the 2017 World Championships. But I was very very sick and really wanted to come back this year and show that I have not shied away. I am really happy with my performance. It is a great feeling to come out on top.”

Alex Bourlon (154kg) gave hosts France a reason to celebrate as he claimed silver, while Great Britain's Adam Alderman (149kg) collected bronze.

Men's up to 59kg

With the support of his siblings, Greece's Paschalis Kouloumoglou won his first major international competition.

The 23-year-old lifted 179kg to finish as comfortable leader of the European podium ahead of Poland's Mariusz Tomczyk (153kg) and Finland's Juhani Kokko (144kg).

“I am so happy. I was hoping I could win the title as I have been training very hard. And having my siblings supporting me here in Berck-Sur-Mer is great,” said Kouloumoglou, who had taken silver at the 2015 Europeans.

The Greek also topped the overall podium. Chile's Juan Carlos Garrido cleared the bar at 179kg but Kouloumoglou prevailed due to a lower body weight (57.79 versus 58.43). Brazil's Bruno Carra sealed bronze.

Women's up to 61kg

It was a Ukrainian one-two, with Tetyana Shyrokolava winning gold ahead of Rayisa Toporkova. They both lifted 115kg but the former finished first due to a lower body weight (58.07 versus 59.17).

“It is a great feeling to have won but even better to have shared the podium with another Ukrainian,” said Shyrokolava. “Our country is doing really well at this Europeans and I feel proud for that.”

Poland's M. Halas-Koralewska collected bronze.

The competition takes place in Berck-sur-Mer, France, until Wednesday, 30 May.

All events are streamed live on World Para Powerlifting´s website https://www.paralympic.org/powerlifting and Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/parapowerlifting/

Live results and a full competition schedule is available on Berck-Sur-Mer 2018´s website. https://www.paralympic.org/berck-sur-mer-2018/schedule-results