The decision to move the location was made via an agreement with the IPC and Mexican Paralympic Committee, the latter claiming that that they could resource and organise the competition more effectively in the capital.

The Championships is due to be held between April 26 and 29 and will be open to all countries in an effort to provide more opportunity to qualify for Rio 2016. 

"The decision to stage the Championships in Mexico City was taken in response to discussions with the Mexican Paralympic Committee, who felt that they could resource and organise the competition more effectively there," said Xavier Gonzalez, IPC chief executive.

"They believe that they can secure more support from Government to develop a dedicated Local Organising Committee and there has also been an increased interest from sponsors and broadcasters.

"In the year before the first Paralympic Games takes place in South America at Rio 2016, as well as ahead of August's 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada, it is vital that we support National Paralympic Committees in the Americas with their endeavours to organise the best competitions possible."

Amalia Perez is one of the most prolific Mexican Paralympians with a gold medal from London 2012 and Beijing 2008 ©Getty Images



In line with the IPC's efforts to qualify more athletes to Rio, the event will see a change to the number of athletes countries can enter.

This change will mean that National Paralympic Committees can submit a maximum of 15 male and 15 female lifters spread across the 10 weight categories in both junior and senior competitions.

But there still must not be more than two competitors from any particular country in a single event.

In September 2014, IPC Powerlifting announced two other regional competitions in Asia and Europe for 2015.

The 2015 IPC Powerlifting Asian Open Championships is scheduled to be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from July 26 until 30, for what will be the first IPC Powerlifting competition in the country, whilst the European Championships is due to take place in Eger, Hungary, between November 24 and 28.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2014: Host cities for three major regional powerlifting Championships in 2015 named