Chinese athlete Gu Xiaofei is gearing up to compete for gold in the weightlifting event at the 17th Summer Paralympic Games, which commenced in Paris on Aug 29, Beijing time.

This will be Gu's fourth appearance at the Paralympic Games. On Sept 6 local time, he will take part in the men's 80 kilograms weightlifting competition, facing off against familiar rivals - Roohallah Rostami from Iran and Mohsin Rasool from Iraq – all of whom have their eyes on gold. Gu expressed his confidence, stating, "I am fully confident and ready to give the competition my all."

At 35 years old, Gu, a native of Tongzhou district, Nantong, Jiangsu province, is a member of both the Chinese and Jiangsu province para powerlifting teams. Over his more than decade-long career, he has clinched titles at the National Para Games of China, Asian Para Games, World Para Powerlifting Championships, and Para Powerlifting World Cup, with a total of 30 gold medals and 10 silver medals, including silver medals at three Paralympic Games. He has set multiple world records along the way.

Gu Xiaofei. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

In the men's 80kg event at the Tbilisi Para Powerlifting World Cup, Gu Xiaofei clinches the gold medal with a lift of 234kg. [Photo/Nantong Daily]