(BEIJING, September 14) -- China will once again be making its presence felt in Powerlifting on Monday, September 15 in the Men's -82.5 kilogram and -90 kilogram categories at the BUAA Gymnasium, with three-time Paralympic champion Zhang Haidong defending his title and Cai Huichao hoping to add to his impressive medal collection.

Men's -82.5kg

China's Zhang Haidong will be competing for his fourth Paralympic gold medal after winning gold in the -75kg category at the Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, and gold in the -67.5kg category at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games.

Zhang also has three gold medals from the World Championships, in 2006, 2002 and 1998.

Martin Bihary is the only Powerlifter from the Czech Republic at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and will be seeking to add to gold medals from the 2007 World Championships on home turf in Ceske Budejovice, the 2006 Regional Championships in the same city and the National Games in 2007, 2005, 2003 and 2002.

Janne Pipponen of Finland ranked fifth in the 2005 Regional Championships in this category.

Thaer Al Ali of Iraq will be a strong competitor with an entry weight of 207kg, as is Ammar Shekh Ahmad of Syria, who starts at 205kg.

Shekh Ahmad won a silver medal at the 2008 Regional Games in Egypt and ranked fourth at the 2006 World Championships in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Another lifter to watch in this category is Russia's Vadim Rakitin.

Men's -90kg

China's Cai Huichao will be aiming to add to his already impressive collection of medals after winning gold at the 2007 European Championships in Kavala, Greece.

Cai also won silver at the 2006 FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur and will undoubtedly have the advantage of the home-crowd support at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Poland's Ryszard Rogala will be looking to improve on his previous Paralympic performance after winning the silver medal in this category in Athens 2004.

He also won the gold medal at the 2007 European Championships in Kavala and in 2005 and 2001 in Quarteira and Budapest respectively, and won bronze medals at the 2006 and 2002 World Championships.

Also competing in this category are Ikechukwu Solomon Amarakuo of Nigeria and Mohammed Khamiss Khalaf of the United Arab Emirates.