The Algerian para-powerlifting team is gearing up for the World Cup happening on August 15, 16, and 17 in Santiago, Chile. Coach Mohamed Salaheddine Benatta confirmed the lineup on Thursday, and it includes four athletes—one of them is a woman!
The team features Chems Eddine Boudra (-49 kg), Hocine Bettir (-65 kg), Radhouane Sedjerari (-65 kg), and Sabrina Moussaoui (-45 kg).
This World Cup is part of the 2025-2028 para-powerlifting season, which will have several international events. These competitions are super important for athletes to rack up ranking points needed to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
The Santiago World Cup is the third stop of the season and will be a big test for the athletes before the World Championships in Cairo next October.
A total of 114 athletes from 16 countries will be competing, making it the last chance to prepare before the World Championships. Among them are two African Paralympic champions.
Alongside Algeria and Nigeria, Georgia is representing Europe as one of the three non-American countries in this competition.
Nigeria is sending ten athletes, including some medalists from the Paris 2024 Paralympics, like Onyinyechi Mark, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, and Esther Oyema.
Algeria is especially counting on Hocine Bettir, the only Algerian Paralympic medalist from Paris 2024, who snagged bronze in the -65 kg category, just like he did in Tokyo 2020.
The Santiago World Cup is also a great chance for Algerian para-powerlifters to gain valuable experience.
According to the schedule from the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA), Algerian athletes will kick off their competitions on Friday, August 15.
Chems Eddine Boudra will be up against four other competitors in the -49 kg category, while Hocine Bettir and Radhouane Sedjerari will each face seven opponents in the -65 kg category. Meanwhile, Sabrina Moussaoui is looking to stand out among six other competitors in the -45 kg category.
