Powerlifting made its debut as a medal sport at the second
Paralympic Games in 1964. Initially offered only to lifters with
spinal cord injuries, the sport has grown to include numerous
disability groups, as well as assimilate rules similar to those
of non-disabled lifters. From 1992 to 1996, the number of
participating countries more than doubled. Ever since, that
number has risen to include 109 countries, and is the fastest
growing Paralympic sport in the world.  Athletes draw lots to
determine order of weigh-in and lifts. After the athletes are
categorized within the 10 different weight classes (male and
female), they each lift three times (competing in their
respective weight class). The heaviest "good lift" (within the
weight class) is the lift used for final placing in the
competition.  Paralympic powerlifting competition is open
to male and female athletes with physical disabilities such as
dwarfism, amputation/limbloss, spinal cord injury/wheelchair-
users and cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke.  E-mai