Egypt’s Sherif Osman will be looking to extend a career-long winning-streak when he begins his year at the Fazza 2019 World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai ©World Para Powerlifting/YouTube

Egypt’s Sherif Osman will be looking to extend a career-long winning-streak when he begins his year at the Fazza 2019 World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, where action is due to begin tomorrow.

The unbeaten athlete is the clear favourite for victory in the men’s up to 59 kilograms category at the Dubai Club for People of Determination.

He has taken part in this World Cup six times, claiming a gold medal at all editions, with the last being in 2014.

"I am so excited about starting my season winning gold at Fazza 2019," Osman said.

Osman has broke the world record three times in the Emirati city.

The last was at the 2014 World Championships, when he cleared the bar at 205kg in the up to 54kg.

Before that, he also broke the world records in the up to 56kg - managing 206.5kg in 2012 - and up to 52kg - posting 191kg in 2010.

Osman also holds the up to 59kg world record of 211kg, which he set at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

The three-time Paralympic and world champion is the only powerlifter who holds the world record in more than one category still on the Paralympic programme. 

Even though he is now 36, Osman still feels there is still much more he can achieve.


"I hope to break the world record again at the World Cup," Osman said.

"God willing, I will lift 211.5kg."

In July, Osman is set to compete in the World Championships in Kazakhstan's capital Astana. 

"Fazza 2019 will help me in my preparations but, of course, my main objective for the year is winning my fourth World Championship title," he said.

"I honestly believe I can keep defending the world title for more than 10 years - that is my dream."

Osman will rest for a few months after Astana 2019 and the 36-year-old is exuding positivism with next year's Paralympic Games in Tokyo fast approaching.

"Tokyo 2020? I am so confident I am already planning for Paris 2024," he added.

"That is my target. 

"I want to eventually get to six Paralympic golds."

Action in Dubai is due to run until Tuesday (February 12).