Ten athletes were registered to compete in the men's 49kg event, including several world-class athletes, as organisers wished to extend the scale of the event to be on par with world championship events.

Previously the biggest lift, secured by the Ha Tinh athlete, was 181.5 kg, set at the Asian Para Games II in 2014. It was also the world record in the same weight division.

After three attempts, Cong conquered the 177kg mark, 1kg higher than the second ranked Adesokhan Yakubu (Nigeria). The achievement helped him win gold in the Asian Championships and open the gold medal count.

The title-win inspired him to register for the fourth lift, aiming to break his own world record. The 31-year-old weighing 47,3kg, who is paralysed from the waist down, managed a successful fourth round world record attempt of 182kg.

Cong’s outstanding achievement not only empowers disabled Vietnamese athletes in the international arena, but also demonstrates his significant efforts made during training in preparation for the tournament.

In the men’s 54kg weight category, Cong’s teammate Nguyen Binh An set a new Asian record to take the Asian title with 183kg mark. However, An was unable to secure gold, taking home a silver medal in the Open championship event, just behind Nigerian Ezuruike Roland at the 184kg mark.