The 17th Summer Paralympic Games have started in Paris and Turkmenistan's representative Mayagozel Ekeeva will take part in them. The experienced 38 years old athlete will compete in the parapowerlifting competitions in the weight category up to 86 kg on September 8.

Ekeeva is a Master of Sport International Class who already has experience of competing at the Paralympics. In 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, she took fifth place in the 73 kg weight category, lifting a barbell weighing 105 kg. This time the athlete moved to a heavier weight category, where her best result is 115 kg.

Head of the Turkmen delegation Tahir Shorahanov noted Ekeeva's excellent form and her readiness to show high results. The athlete's minimum goal is to be among the five strongest, and her maximum goal is to win a Paralympic Games medal, the “Neutral Turkmenistan” newspaper reported.

Mayagozel Ekeeva already has bronze medals from the 2010 and 2014 Asian Paralympic Games. She finished fifth at the 2023 World Championships in Dubai, which earned her a direct entry to the Paris Paralympics.

In total, about 4400 athletes from about 180 countries are taking part in the Paralympic Games in Paris. They will compete for 549 medals in 22 sports.