Folashade Oluwafemiayo concluded Team Nigeria’s participation at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with a spectacular performance, setting a new world record and securing a gold medal.
On the final day of competition, Nigeria had previously earned only one gold medal, alongside several silver and bronze medals. Onyinyechi Mark had won the first gold in the 61kg para-powerlifting category.
Determined to finish strong, Oluwafemiayo, who was already the world record holder in the +86kg category, aimed to enhance her record and capture another gold. Her campaign began with a flawless execution of her first lift at 157kg, giving her an early advantage over China’s Xuemei Deng and Egypt’s Nadia Ali, who lifted 150kg and 141kg, respectively, on their initial attempts.
Oluwafemiayo continued her impressive performance by lifting 162kg, equalling the Paralympic record previously set by a Nigerian. Deng and Ali followed with lifts of 153kg and 145kg in their second attempts.
Not stopping there, Oluwafemiayo surpassed her own record by lifting 166kg and then 167kg, setting both new Paralympic and world records in the Women’s +86kg category.
China’s Deng, who could not match Oluwafemiayo’s lifts, secured the silver medal with a final lift of 155kg. Egypt’s Ali, unable to lift 154kg in her final attempt, settled for bronze with a second lift of 145kg.
Following Oluwafemiayo’s remarkable achievement, Sports Minister Senator John Owan Enoh praised her performance, calling the gold medal win “an incredible accomplishment.” This victory brought Team Nigeria’s overall medal count at the Paris Paralympics to seven, including two golds, three silvers, and two bronzes.
Senator Enoh highlighted Oluwafemiayo’s exceptional skill and determination, stating, “Folashade not only set a Paralympic record by lifting 167kg but also achieved an elite World Record. As Team Captain, she has shown remarkable prowess and spirit.”
He encouraged Nigerians to celebrate Oluwafemiayo’s success: “Let us come together to congratulate and honor our champion for bringing pride to herself and our great nation, Nigeria,” concluded the minister.
Team Nigeria’s final medal tally at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games stands at two gold, three silver, and two bronze.
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