ATHENS, Sept. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- China's 2003 world wheelchair games champion Wang Jian stopped Sydney Paralympic champion Ahmed Ahmed of Egypt to take the men's 56kg category title at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games here on Wednesday.

    Wang, 37, lifted 185kg, five more than Ahmed, for his first Paralympic gold medal. He took silver in Atlanta and bronze in Sydney, competing in 52kg categories in the two previous games.

    Having won three gold and one silver medals, the 41-year-old Egyptian broke into tears after having his dream of a fourth gold crushed.

    Syrian Youssef Younes Cheikh, a father of six children, lifted 170kg to take the bronze, the first for his country in the Paralympic Games.

    "I am determined to continue until Beijing (in 2008) and win again in my country," Wang Jian said after his victory.

    The men's 60kg category was a close contest, but with a lift of 197.5kg, Egyptian Shaban Ibrahim won the third gold medal for his country in Athens. South Korea's Jung Keum Jong, also a winner of three consecutive gold Paralympic medals, missed his first two attempts, but lifted 195kg in the last to take the silver.

    Iranian Ali Hosseini placed third with 192.5kg.

    "I'd hoped for the gold and fortunately I made it, although I wanted to lift 203kg to break the world record," said Ibrahim. "Idedicate this medal to all Egyptians and my federation," he added.

    Powerlifters will have one day off Thursday before taking the bells on Friday. Enditem