Newson survives nervy wait to win first Paralympic silver

Zoe Newson was watched on by her son as she claimed her first Paralympic silver medal at Paris 2024. 

The Para powerlifter, who trains at Loughborough University, twice won bronze at London 2012 and Rio 2016 and upgraded it in style in the women’s -45kg category at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena. 

The 32-year-old, who is originally from Colchester, had a nervy wait to confirm her third Paralympic medal as she successfully challenged the judging on her third lift, which was originally judged a no lift.

“I don’t really know how I’m feeling,” she said. “Good, happy, emotional, a bit of everything. 

“I didn’t realise my third lift had been counted, it didn’t come on the screen but we heard the crowd start cheering.  

“Then we saw it on the screen and lost it. My boy and my fiancé are in the crowd, so I got quite emotional.” 

Newson, who is keeping at her fourth consecutive Paralympic Games, was the first British athlete to take to the stage as the Para powerlifting got underway on day seven of the Games. 

Her first two lifts of 102 and 104 kg put her in second place with one lift to go in the competition. 

But, after a review, her final lift of 109kg stood to see her leapfrog Nazmiye Muratli of Tyrkey into silver medal position. 

Lingling Guo of China claimed the gold, with each of her three lifts were heavier than anyone else in the competition. 

She was then given an extra lift in an attempt to break the world record which she duly did with a lift of 123kg. 

Newson failed to medal at her third Games in Tokyo but admitted to having some nerves as she stepped out to compete in Paris. 

However, by her final lift, she was feeding off the support, with the enthusiastic crowds continuing at the Para powerlifting. 

She added: “It was very different to Tokyo but it was good.  

“Once I get my first or second, I’m alright as my nerves get a lot calmer. The first one, I just get on the bench, and don’t do anything.  By my second or third, I’m waving to the crowd. 

“It has been great. Paris has been a great Paralympics, I’m glad to come away with a silver medal.”