The 30-year-old produced a stunning lift that was four kilograms better than the lift that saw her take gold at last year's Paralympics in London.

The victory means that Ghazouani is now the reigning European, Paralympic and world champion.

Another standout performer in Aleksin was Poland's Piotr Szymeczek, who broke the world record in the men's -88kg category to claim his first major international victory.

"I've been doing this sport for 10 years and this is the first major gold medal I've won," said Szymeczek.

"It feels so good to be the champion of Europe."

Iraq's Thaer Al-Ali easily lifted more than twice his body weight to win the open category in the men's -97kg event, raising the bar with 210kg on it.

Russia's Vera Muratova set a European record in the women's -67kg event, winning gold with a lift of 111kg, while in the women's 79kg category, Russia's Olga Kazankevich grabbed the top spot lifting, 107kg.

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