Nigeria’s Paralympic athletes once again displayed their formidable talent and resilience at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, delivering exceptional performances across various disciplines. Led by powerlifters Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Bose Omolayo, Team Nigeria etched its name in the history books, setting new world and Paralympic records while amassing an impressive haul of medals. Oluwafemiayo, competing in the women’s over 86kg category, not only shattered the Paralympic record with a 162kg lift but went on to set a new world record at 167kg, clinching a gold medal for Nigeria. Her compatriot, Omolayo, added to the nation’s medal tally with a silver in the women’s 79kg powerlifting, lifting 145kg to secure her spot on the podium.
The country’s success extended beyond powerlifting, with Isau Ogunkunle capturing bronze in the men’s Para-Table Tennis Singles, Class 4 event. His victory over South Korea’s Young Gun Kim marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s table tennis history, as Ogunkunle secured the country’s fifth medal. Flora Ugwunwa also made a mark in the women’s Javelin F54 category, winning silver with a distance of 19.26m throw, adding to her collection of Paralympic accolades.
While there were near misses for some athletes, such as Onye Lauritta’s fifth-place finish in the women’s Shotput F40 and Ejike Lucy’s fourth-place finish in the women’s 67kg Para-Weightlifting category, their enduring commitment to representing Nigeria on the global stage was nothing short of commendable. Lucy, who has represented the country for over two decades, continues to inspire with her perseverance, despite narrowly missing out on a medal.
The remarkable outing for Team Nigeria in Paris also witnessed Mark Onyinyechi setting a new world record in the women’s 61kg Para-Weightlifting with an astounding 147kg lift. This achievement further solidifies Nigeria’s dominance in the powerlifting discipline and continues the tradition of excellence established in previous Paralympic Games. As the competition progresses, Nigeria’s Paralympians have proven once again that they are a force to be reckoned with, securing two golds, two silvers, and a bronze, with more opportunities for glory ahead.