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With a Herculean effort that left the crowd gasping in awe, Folashade Oluwafemiayo rewrote the record books in the women’s over 86kg Para-Powerlifting event, becoming the first athlete in the Para-sports realm to lift a whooping 166kg.
Nigerian powerhouse Folashade Oluwafemiayo continued her reign as the queen of the women’s over 86kg Para-Powerlifting category, shattering her own world record with a lift of 166kg – a staggering one-kilogram improvement – and claiming the gold medal to cement her dominance in the sport.
Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s record-shattering performance in the women’s over 86kg Para-Powerlifting event was the icing on the cake for Nigeria, as she clinched the gold medal and lifted the country’s overall tally to seven medals at the Paralympics, leaving an indelible mark on the competition.
The Super Eagles’ AFCON qualifier match against Benin Republic was just the appetizer, as Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s golden performance in the women’s over 86kg Para-Powerlifting event at the Paralympics served as the main course.
The Super Eagles’ convincing 3-0 win over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday set the tone for a spectacular weekend of Nigerian sports, culminating in Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s record-breaking gold medal performance in the women’s over 86kg Para-Powerlifting event at the Paralympics.
Goals by Amina Bello, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Flourish Sabastine and substitute Joy Igbokwe against Venezuela in Cali on Saturday, also took two-time silver medallists Nigeria to the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
In a related move, Flora Ugwunwa claimed a silver medal in the Women’s Javelin F54 category with a remarkable throw of 19.26 meters, finishing 2nd in a highly competitive field.
Bose Omolayo in the Women’s 79kg Para Powerlifting category, lifted an impressive 145kg to secure the silver medal for Nigeria.
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Isau Ogunkunle earned a bronze medal in the Men’s Singles Class 4 Para Table Tennis event. Ogunkunle became the first Nigerian athlete to win an individual medal in Para Table Tennis since the Sydney 2000 Games.
Reacting to their achievements earlier, Senator Enoh said, “We are immensely proud of our Team Nigeria Paralympic athletes. Bose Omolayo, Flora Ugwunwa, and Isau Ogunkunle have brought us immense pride and joy with their incredible performances on the global stage. Their dedication, resilience, and passion embody the true spirit of Nigeria, and they continue to inspire millions with their remarkable achievements.”
As Folashade Oluwafemiayo basked in the glory of her record-breaking gold medal win, the Minister reiterated the government’s unflinching commitment to nurturing para-sports in Nigeria, ensuring that athletes like Oluwafemiayo receive the necessary support to excel on the global stage.
