Nine Nigerian para powerlifters have secured a spot for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris after they all won medals at the just concluded Para Powerlifting World Cup in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
They won seven gold, one silver and one bronze medals to exert their dominance on the world stage at the competition which started on the 20th of March and ended on the 25th of March 2024. Two gold medals were won on the first day of the event by Bose Bejide and Esther Nworgu in the Women’s 50kg and 41kg categories respectively.
In the Men’s Category, Thomas Kure won Nigeria’s third gold medal in the -65kg weight class while Roland Ezuruike secured the country’s fourth gold in the -54kg category. On the fourth day of the event, Gift Mark won another gold for Nigeria in the Women’s 61kg weight class. Captain of the Paralympic Team, Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Bose Omolayo gold medals in the women’s 86kg and 79kg weight classes respectively.
Lucy Ejike and Lovelyn Obiji won silver and bronze respectively on the last day of the event to cap off a successful tournament for the Nigerian Contingent. Captain of the Team Folashade Oluwafemiayo expressed pride in the team “As the captain of the team, I am very proud of all of us (lifters) because this is what we worked for and we are reaping the rewards now.” All the Nine medallists have now qualified for the Paralympic Games in Paris scheduled to be held from the 28th of August till September 8th, 2024.
Meanwhile, Five Nigerian Wrestlers have also secured five Automatic tickets to the Paris 2024 Olympics after winning in their respective categories at the Wrestling Championships in Egypt. They include Christianah Ogunsanya, Hannah Amuchechi Reuben, Blessing Oborududu, Esther Kolawole, and Ashton Mutuwa. They will be competing for Medals when the event starts in July 2024.
