Gold medals pour in for Nigeria at Paralympics Games in London

Nigeria’s harvest of gold medals at the ongoing Paralympics Games in London continued yesterday when two power-lifters, Esther Oyema and Joy Onaolapo, set two new world records en route winning two gold medals, to take Nigeria’s tally to four gold medals. Ifeanyi Nnajiofor als last night won a silver medal in the men’s -60kg powerlifting event.

In a country where her able-bodied athletes failed to win a single medal at the recently concluded London Olympics Games, it is ironic that it is the physically-challenged ones, who are neglected, that are doing the country proud right now.

First to land the gold, was 30 year-old Oyema, who lifted 135kg, to set a new world record in the women’s -48kg category.

She simply blew away her competitors as her closest rival, Olesya Lafina of Russia could only manage to lift 120kg.

Gold medallist Esther Oyema of Nigeria kisses her medal during the Victory Ceremony for the women’s -48 kg Powerlifting at ExCeL.

Oyema, who was emotional while celebrating her record breaking feat, said that what she achieved in London was a product of her undying drive for excellence.

“Hard work pays. I thank God that I succeeded when people had written me off. Thanks to God and I would continue trying to be better each day”, she told reporters.

And bolstered by the heroics of Oyema, Onaolopo, who was the next Nigerian to compete in the power-lifting event, put up a breathtaking performance in the women’s -52kg, with a 131kg world record haul, which gave her a gold medal and also set a new world record in her event.

It was a day to remember for both para-lifters, whose world record feats, would take some time to be broken, given the kilogram of weight lifted.

So far, power-lifting has fetched Nigeria all the medals at the Games. As at press time, Nigeria had four gold and three silver medals to place seventh on the medal table. China was leading with 15 gold, 11 silver and 17 bronze medals while Great Britain and Australia were second and third respectively,with nine gold apiece, although Britain has won 14 silver while the Aussies has 5.

And bolstered by the heroics of Oyema, Onaolopo, who was the next Nigerian to compete in the power-lifting event, put up a breathtaking performance in the women’s -52kg, with a 131kg world record  haul, to  land gold.

It was a day to remember for both para-lifters, whose world record feats, would take some time to be broken, given the kilogram of weight lifted.

So far,, power-lifting has fetched Nigeria all the medals at the Games. As at last night, Nigeria had four gold and three silver medals to place seventh on the medal table. China was leading with 15 gold, 11 silver and 17 bronze medals while Great Britain and Australia were second and third respectively,with nine gold apiece, although Britain has won 14 silver while the Aussies has 5.