By James Crook

151099019May 23 - Three Russian powerlifters raised the bar at the International Paralympic Comittee (IPC) Powerlifting Open European Championships on home soil in Aleksin, smashing European and world records as the host nation continued to steal the show.

Two-time Paralympic silver medallist at the old -48kg category Olesya Lafina smashed the women's -50kg world record, lifting a huge 114kg, as her 19-year-old Russian team-mate Anastasia Khonina took the silver medal after lifting 97kg.

"The competition was great and it was difficult so I really had to do my best," Lafina said.

"I didn't want to think about anything except the competition beforehand, and I listened to some hard rock music to warm up and get myself ready, which worked."

On the men's side, another two world records followed for the Russians as they hauled themselves to the top of the medal table with eight of the 11 gold medals that's destinations have been decided.

Ildar Bedderdinov lifted 175kg to set a new world-best in the men's -59kg, leaving Polish lifter Mariusz Tomczyk settling for silver with his best successful lift of 165kg.

And in the new men's -54kg category, Russia's Paralympic bronze medallist Vladimir Krivulya held off a tough field to break the European record and take gold with a lift of 170kg.

"It's always amazing, when you're breaking records," Krivulya said.

"My performance today of 170kg was nice for the European Championships, but I'll try to get even better because I know it's not my maximum."

Greece's Dimitrios Bakochristos and Great Britain's Ali Jawad finished joint second after both lifting 163kg, but Jawad had to settle for silver due to having a higher body weight.

To stream action from the Championships, click here.

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