The Nigerian Team of Para Powerlifting won a total of 12 medals at the African Open Championships in Cairo, Egypt, comprising nine gold medals and three silver medals.

The Nigerian Para Powerlifter has set to have created three world records and two African records at the end of the four-day event.

Para Powerlifters; Roland Ezuruike, Esther Nworgu, Latifat Tijani, Kafila Almaruf, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, Onyinyechi Gift Mark, Loveline Obiji and Bose Omolayo won individual gold medals for the country and also Bose Bejide, Lucy Ejike and Thomas Kure won the three silver medals.

A gold medal was also won in the team’s event for women, although it was not recorded on the medals table.

The event recorded a total of 166 male and female athletes from 27 countries that competed in the ten weight classes. The edition is said to be the biggest ever, as it allowed participants outside the continent to participate in the competition for the first time.

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, commended and acknowledged the impressive performance of the Nigerian representatives at the African Open Championships.

In a statement by the Minister, he said, “The performance of our contingent underlines Nigeria’s status as a leading force in para powerlifting, our strong winning culture and competitive mentality”.

Setting a new world’s record, Bose Omolayo broke her own world record in the women’s 79 kg, lifting 145 kg to win a 3rd African Championship title.

In the women’s, Loveline Obiji lifted 145 kg over 86 kg to beat her Egyptian opponent to win the gold medal.

Furthermore, this new achievement of the Nigerian para powerlifters at the 2022 African Open Championships would enable the athletes to compete in the second stage of qualifiers for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.