ZKC was an official weightlifting equipment supplier at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and is set to perform the same role at the rearranged Tokyo 2020 Games.

It specialises in designing and manufacturing weightlifting and powerlifting equipment, including benches, bars, weight discs, collars and platforms.

As part of the partnership there is due to be a focus on supplying equipment to four different regions across the world - Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania, while equipment will also be donated for competitions.

Speaking about the partnership the head of World Para Powerlifting Jorge Moreno said: "ZKC is a company with a long history in strength sports and we are extremely happy to share this important announcement with our sport community in 2020.

"ZKC will be part of our grassroots development programme providing important support to countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania in order to improve their performance in Para powerlifting."

Meanwhile ZKC chief executive Zhang Zhiguo said of the arrangement: "Our company has been an approved supplier of major weightlifting championships for 15 years and now we are excited to join the Para powerlifting community.

"ZKC believes in the power of strength sports and we are proud to be a partner of an organisation that provides so many opportunities to athletes with disabilities across the world."

Para powerlifting made its debut at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 1964.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics are now scheduled to take place from August 24 to September 5 2021, having been postponed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Para powerlifting is scheduled to take place at the Tokyo International Forum from August 26 to 30.