Muslu showed that she meant business straight from the off by equalling her world record lift of 100kg, set at the European Championships last year, with her first effort in Dubai.

The 35-year-old then demonstrated her immense power by lifting 103kg with her second effort to set a new world mark and take the world title.

"I am very happy with my record," said Muslu.

"It has been a lot of hard work and a long time coming."

Just as at London 2012, China's Zhe Cui finished second behind the Turk with an effort of 98kg, while Indonesian Ni Nengah Widiashi took bronze.

Yakubu Adesokan of Nigeria took the men's under 49kg world title in a dramatic tussle with Van Cong Le of Vietnam ©Getty Images





In the men's under 49kg competition, it was a battle royale between reigning Paralympic and Commonwealth Games champion Yakubu Adesokan of Nigeria and Vietnam's Van Cong Le.

Le broke Adesokan's world record with a lift of 177kg before going on to register an effort of 180kg in the third round to really throw the down the gauntlet to the Nigerian.

However, Adesokan saved his best to last and broke Le's record, as well as his heart, with a superb final effort of 181kg to take the World Championship crown.

Russia's London 2012 silver medallist Vladimir Balynetc finished third with a lift of 166kg.

Meanwhile, Balynetc's compatriot Yulia Vorontsova took the women's under 41kg junior world title with a lift of 69kg, while 15 year-old Iranian Mohsen Bakhtiar took the men's under 49kg junior crown with an effort of 131kg.

The Championships in Dubai are due to continue through until April 11 and are being streamed live on the IPC website.

To keep up-to-date with live results and the competition schedule, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
April 2014: Dubai set for week-long powerlifting action as biggest World Championships yet get underway
April 2014: IPC Powerlifting World Championships to be streamed live
March 2014: Britain names squad for Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai
February 2014: British powerlifters warm-up for World Championships with impressive displays in Folkestone
May 2013: IPC Powerlifting World Championships heading to Dubai in 2014