Egypt led the gold rush at the 6th Fazza IPC Powerlifting World Cup Dubai 2015 with Taha Abdel Magid winning the Men Open 54kg event at Dubai Club for the Disabled on the second day of the competition on Monday.

A bronze medallist at the Paralympic Games in London 2012, 28 year-old Abdel Magid struck gold in his fifth participation at the Fazza Championships which he described as "very special" with a best lift of 172kgs.

His triumph followed gold medal performances by Egyptian duo Zeinab Oteify and Nawal Ramadan on the opening day of the championship.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, it is organised and supervised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) and Dubai Club for the Disabled with the support of the Dubai Sports Council and UAE Paralympic Committee.

African champion Alidou Diamoutene of Ivory Coast had to settle for silver in the event after a failed attempt to lift 172kgs after successfully lifting 160kgs and 165kgs.

The 34 year-old veteran of three Paralympic Games since 2004, vowed to bounce back in his quest for glory in IPC Powerlifting competitions.

Iraq's Hussein Juboori took the bronze in this event with a best lift of 165kgs. 

The 6th Fazza IPC Powerlifting World Cup Dubai 2015 which has attracted 133 athletes from 25 countries was officially launched on Sunday evening with a glittering opening ceremony which showcased the cultural heritage and traditions of the country.

Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Dubai Club for the Disabled and Head of the organizing committee of the Fazza Championships for the Disabled, thanked everyone involved in organising this Championships especially the army of volunteers who work tirelessly for its success.

"The Fazza Championships is a platform to serve this special community of people and focus on developing their skills," he added.

Mohamed Ali Bin Fadel Al Hameli, Chairman of the UAE Paralympic Committee and IPC board member, commended the high level of technical support and level of organisation which adds value to UAE sports.

"This Championship is a step for disabled athletes to gain in confidence and for the emergence of new stars in this sport. We are proud to have Paralympians like Mohammed Khamis. This event will serve as a gateway for rising champions and make Emiratis proud of their achievements," said Al Hameli.

The Fazza championships which will continue until Wednesday March 18, has attracted athletes from Azerbaijan, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Thailand, Egypt, Slovakia, Syria, France, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Netherlands, India, Mongolia, Poland, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Hungary, Ivory Coast, Germany, Georgia and hosts United Arab Emirates.

Jordan's Omar Qarada won the Men Open 49kg category on Sunday evening with a best lift of 172kg while Iraq's Mustafa Radhi took the silver with a lift of 167kg.

India secured the second bronze medal of the championship when Farman Basha finished in third place in this event with a best lift of 154kgs. Sakina Khatun won a bronze medal on the opening day in the Women Open 45kg category.

Majid Abdullah Al Usaimi, Executive Director at the Dubai Club for the Disabled and Director of Fazza Championship for People with Disability, said the standard of competition has become higher and tougher.

"Everyone who has come here wants to win. They are not here on a holiday. Every year the Fazza Championships is becoming bigger and more competitive. It is important for UAE athletes to gain exposure of international competition especially with Paralympic Games in Rio (de Janeiro) just one year away. Participants also experience the traditions of our country because the Fazza Championships is a mixture of sports and cultural heritage," said Al Usaimi.

This is the fourth championship under the umbrella of the Fazza Championships for People with Disability to be held this season, after the Fazza National Championships for People with Disability, Fazza International Para-Archery Competition, Fazza International Athletics IPC Grand Prix Dubai 2015, which witnessed the participation of around 500 athletes.

The Fazza International Championship for Boccia is due to be held in April, followed by Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball Championships in May.