September 07, (THEWILL) – Bose Omolayo’s silver medal in the women’s up to 79kg Para Powerlifting category has brought Nigeria’s medal tally to six at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Omolayo lifted 145kg to claim second place, behind China’s Han Miayou, who took gold with a lift of 154kg. Omolayo, who had previously won gold in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, was unable to complete her third lift due to an injury, but her strong effort earned her a well-deserved silver.
Nigeria’s medal haul in Paris continues to grow with notable performances across various sports. Powerlifter Onyinyechi Mark won gold in the women’s up to 61kg category, breaking the world record twice with a final lift of 150kg. Additionally, Latifat Tijani added another gold in the women’s up to 45kg category, further solidifying Nigeria’s dominance in para powerlifting.
In para table tennis, Isau Ogunkunle made history by winning bronze in the men’s Singles Class 4 event, becoming the first Nigerian to claim an individual medal in the sport since the Sydney 2000 Games. His achievement marked a significant moment for Nigeria in para table tennis, elevating the country’s status in the sport.
Adding to the track and field accomplishments, Flora Ugwunwa secured a silver medal in the women’s Javelin F54 category with a throw of 19.26m, finishing second. This impressive performance continues Ugwunwa’s track record of excellence in javelin, having previously won gold in Rio 2016 where she set a new world record with a throw of 20.25m.
With Omolayo’s latest silver, Ogunkunle’s bronze, and Ugwunwa’s silver, Nigeria’s medal count at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games stands at six on the penultimate day of competition in the French capital.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
