By By Muminat Ajide
Onyinyechi Mark of Nigeria has finally secured a gold in the women’s 61kg powerlifting at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, setting a new record with a lift of 147kg.
Her achievement marks Nigeria’s first gold medal of the Games. Her closest rival attempted 138kg, while Mark lifted a final 147kg.
However, team Nigeria has a storied history of excellence in the Paralympics, particularly in powerlifting and athletics.
At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Nigeria won ten medals, including four golds. Athletes like Lucy Ejike and Bose Omolayo have set world records and won multiple gold medals.
This achievement marks Team Nigeria’s third medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, following Eniola Bolaji’s earlier success and Esther Nworgu’s silver medal in the Para Powerlifting up to 41kg category, where she lifted 118kg.
