One powerlifter from each of this year's continental events has been nominated.

They were picked after public votes which saw them named the best powerlifters of their region. 

Colombia's Jhon Castaneda Velasquez was named Best Americas Powerlifter and has subsequently been nominated for the global accolade. 

This was for his performance at last month's World Para Powerlifting Americas Open Championships in Bogata, which saw him win the men's over-107 kilograms continental title with an Americas record lift of 212kg.

Joining him is Mariana Shevchuk of Ukraine, named Best European Powerlifter after she won gold in the Berck-Sur-Mer European Open Championships, breaking the women's under-55kg world record by lifting 130.5kg. 

Egypt's Sherif Osman has been shortlisted after being picked as Best African Powerlifter for defending his under-59kg title at the African Championships in Algeria.

Making up the shortlist is Iran's Siamand Rahman, who was named Best Asian-Oceanian Powerlifter after winning the men's over-107kg with a 285kg lift at the Asia-Oceania Open Championships in Kitakyushu.

Rahman is known as the "world's strongest Paralympian" for his prowess in the sport's heavyweight division.

The winner will be decided by a public vote on World Para Powerlifting's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

The powerlifter with the most combined votes across all social media pages will be named the Best Powerlifter of 2018. 

Voting is open until 10am GMT on January 9.