By James Crook

151104335 1May 24 - Russian athletes stole the show once again in Aleksin as three world records were broken, adding to the two set yestrday, yesterday by the host nation at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Open European Powerlifting Championships.

Four-time Paralympian Tamara Podpalnaya set a world record in the women's -55kg, spurred on by her home crowd to lift 115 kilograms.

"It was very difficult, but fortunately I won and got the record so I'm very happy," Podpalnaya said.

"Although the crowd was very loud for me, in this competition I made sure I only heard the judges and my coach so I could concentrate."

Podpalnaya, who has won two Paralympic gold medals along with two silvers at her four consecutive Games appearances, also confirmed that she has her sights set on taking gold at Rio 2016.

Great Britain's Natalie Blake finished second, claiming silver with a lift of 93kg.

Seregei Sychev also felt the impact of the home crowd as he smashed the world record with a lift of 200kg to take gold in the men's -72kg.

82771625Russia's Ayrat Zakiev took the gold medal with a world record of 190kg.

Greece's Nikolaos Gkouuntanis took second with a lift of 181kg and another Russian, Kirill Flegentov, came third with a lift of 175kg.

And Paralympic silver medallist Ayrat Zakiev completed a fantastic day for Russia in the men's -65kg, also taking a new world record with a lift of 190kg.

Turkey's Izzettin Kanat took second with a lift of 180kg and Poland's Grzegorz Lanzer claimed bronze with a lift of 172kg.

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