The 39-year-old powerlifter achieved a world record by lifting 167kg, the first time a para-powerlifter has achieved this feat at the Games.
Nigeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiayo, the team captain, has etched her name in history by winning a gold medal in the women’s over 86kg category at the ongoing 2024 Paralympics Games in Paris, France. The 39-year-old powerlifter achieved a world record by lifting 167kg, the first time a para-powerlifter has achieved this feat at the Games.
Oluwafemiayo’s outstanding performance was matched by her determination and skill, as she outlifted China’s Deng Xuemei, who claimed silver with a lift of 155kg. Egypt’s Nadia Ali took bronze with a lift of 145kg.
The Minister of Sports, John Enoh, congratulated Oluwafemiayo on her remarkable achievement, saying she demonstrated “great skill, determination and an excellent spirit.” The Minister’s tweet read: “Our very own Folashade Oluwafemiayo has delivered an outstanding performance at the Paralympics. She set a Paralympics record by lifting 167kg and also set an Elite World Record. She served as the Captain for Team Nigeria’s contingent at the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games.”
This impressive win brings Nigeria’s total medal count to seven, with two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals. Other notable performances from Nigerian athletes include Bose Omolayo’s silver medal in the women’s up to 79kg Para-powerlifting category, where she lifted 145kg, and Flora Ugwunwa’s silver medal in the Women’s Javelin F54 category with a throw of 19.26m.
In the Men’s Singles Class 4 event of Para Table Tennis, Isau Ogunkunle won a bronze medal, making him the first Nigerian player to secure an individual medal in the sport since the Sydney 2000 Games.
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