'I've given this everything' (From Haringey Independent)

Paralympics medal disappointment for Tottenham's Ali Jawad

9:10am Saturday 1st September 2012 in Local Sport

Ali Jawad was philosophical after missing out on a Paralympic medal by the narrowest of margins in controversial circumstances last night.

The Tottenham powerlifter, competing in the Under-56kg category at his second successive Games, lifted the same weight as China's Wang Jian, who claimed the bronze.

The 23-year-old missed out on a podium place by virtue of having a heavier body weight than his rival.

Jawad opened up with a successful lift of 180kg and followed that up with 185kg.

He then attempted 189kg with his third and final attempt, a weight which would have been good enough to secure silver.

Jawad thought he had completed the lift but the referee decided otherwise. After an appeal, the Tottenham athlete was allowed another crack but again missed out.

"It was hard to go through all that when you thought it was a lift," he admitted afterwards. "But I have to take it, I have to accept the decision of the referee. 

"I want to thank the crowd for coming. They were really good.

"I've given this everything. I'll take a long break now and see what I want to do then."