Tottenham’s Ali Jawad narrowly misses out on Paralympic medal

Tottenham powerlifter Ali Jawad missed out on a Paralympic medal at the ExCeL this evening, failing with his final lift of 189kg and finishing fourth.

The 23-year-old from St Ann’s Road, who was competing in the 56kg category, successfully raised 180kg and 185kg – and he had a shot at the silver medal as he attempted his third and final effort of 189kg.

That would have taken him above the second-placed Nigerian Anthony Ulonnam and the third-placed Chinese competitor Jian Wang, who had posted 188kg and 185kg respectively.

Jawad, who started powerlifting at Wood Green Weightlifting Club at New River Sports Centre, White Hart Lane, was deemed not to have completed his lift.

There was late drama as a successful appeal from a Great Britain coach gave the former Woodside High School pupil a second chance of glory – but it proved beyond him as he finished fourth.

The gold medal went to the world record holder and the reigning Paralympic champion, Egypt’s Sherif Othman, who reinforced his status as ‘the Usain Bolt of powerlifting’ by raising 197kg.