Folashade Oluwafemiayo Wins Gold, Sets Historic World Record at Paris Paralympics

Folashade Oluwafemiayo Wins Gold, Sets Historic World Record at Paris Paralympics
  •  

    In a spectacular display of strength and determination, Nigerian Para-powerlifter Folashade Oluwafemiayo has won the gold medal at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris, France. Competing in the women’s over 86kg Para-Powerlifting category, Oluwafemiayo not only secured the top podium position but also made history by setting a new world record. She became the first Para-athlete ever to successfully lift 166kg, shattering the previous world record and marking a new milestone in Para-sport.

    Oluwafemiayo’s performance was nothing short of exceptional, demonstrating her commitment to excellence and her position as one of the world’s leading athletes in her sport. Her achievement drew applause from spectators and fellow athletes, as she executed the record-breaking lift with confidence and precision, showcasing the power and skill that have defined her career.

    This victory marks another significant milestone for Team Nigeria at the Paralympics, further cementing the country’s reputation as a powerhouse in Para-powerlifting. Nigeria has historically excelled in the sport, with athletes frequently dominating the podium at international competitions. Oluwafemiayo’s gold medal adds to the growing list of accolades for the nation and is a testament to the rigorous training, dedication, and resilience of its athletes.

    Oluwafemiayo’s win has been celebrated widely across Nigeria and beyond, with fans and supporters praising her incredible feat on social media. She has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for many, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, barriers can be broken, and new heights achieved.

    Her world-record lift is expected to serve as a motivating force for aspiring athletes, especially those with disabilities, proving that physical limitations are no obstacle to achieving greatness in sports. As the Paralympics continue, Nigeria will look to build on this success, aiming for more medals and global recognition.

    Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s achievement is a proud moment for Nigeria and a historic event in the world of Para-sport, highlighting the power of perseverance, athletic excellence, and national pride.

    Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Flora Ugwunwa Wins Silver in Women’s Javelin F54 at Paralympic Games

Flora Ugwunwa Wins Silver in Women’s Javelin F54 at Paralympic Games

 

Flora Ugwunwa has made Nigeria proud by winning a Silver medal in the women’s Javelin F54 event at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris. Ugwunwa secured the second position with a remarkable throw of 19.26 meters, marking Nigeria’s first medal in Para-Athletics and the fourth medal overall at the Games.

Her exceptional performance on the global stage highlights the determination and strength of Nigerians with disabilities, proving that they can achieve great heights despite any challenges.

This victory has also prompted calls for the Federal and State Ministries of Sports and Youth Development to increase budgetary provisions for sports development among citizens with disabilities and ensure they have access to the necessary funding and resources.

Congratulations to Flora Ugwunwa on her well-deserved achievement. Nigeria celebrates her success and stands proud of her inspiring contribution to the country’s sporting history.

*#Paralympics #FloraUgwunwa #SilverMedal #ParaAthletics #Inspiration*

Winfred Yavi Clinches Olympic Gold After Nationality Switch from Kenya to Bahrain

Winfred Yavi Clinches Olympic Gold After Nationality Switch from Kenya to Bahrain

 

 

Winfred Yavi, once a promising Kenyan athlete, made headlines when she switched her nationality to Bahrain in 2016. After years of striving to secure a spot on Kenya’s highly competitive athletics team, Yavi made the difficult decision to represent Bahrain, a choice that has now culminated in her first-ever Olympic gold medal.

Yavi’s journey to the podium has been anything but straightforward. Despite her undeniable talent, the fierce competition in Kenya’s athletics scene, particularly in the long-distance and steeplechase events, left her with limited opportunities to showcase her abilities on the global stage. Frustrated but determined to pursue her dreams, Yavi opted to change her allegiance, a move that allowed her to compete at the highest level and fulfill her potential.

Representing Bahrain in the 3000m steeplechase final, Yavi delivered a stunning performance that saw her outpace two of Kenya’s top runners to claim the gold. Her victory is not just a personal triumph but also a significant moment in her athletic career, symbolizing the rewards of perseverance and strategic decision-making.

The win also adds to Bahrain’s growing reputation in the athletics world, as the Gulf nation continues to attract talented athletes from across the globe. For Yavi, the gold medal is a testament to her resilience and her ability to rise above the challenges that once held her back. Her story serves as an inspiration to many, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities, even if it means making tough choices along the way.

Yavi’s Olympic success is likely to spark further debate about the growing trend of athletes switching nationalities in search of better opportunities, a topic that has been met with mixed reactions in the sporting community. Nonetheless, her achievement on the track is indisputable, and it marks the beginning of a new chapter in her career, one where she stands proudly as an Olympic champion.

Nigeria’s Sports Ministry Clarifies Participation of Cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye in Paris Olympics

Nigeria’s Sports Ministry Clarifies Participation of Cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye in Paris Olympics

 

The Minister of Sports, John Owan, has addressed recent concerns raised regarding the participation of Nigerian athletes, particularly cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye, at the ongoing Paris Olympics. The clarification follows a social media post by Ukpeseraye, which sparked public debate and some misunderstandings about her involvement in the Olympic events.

In a statement released on his official social media account, Minister Owan stated, “My attention has been drawn to a post on social media by Ese Ukpeseraye. After reviewing the post and the subsequent comments, I took immediate action. It appears the post was grossly misunderstood, likely due to a lack of proper context.”

He further explained that Team Nigeria had initially qualified for only one road race in cycling, for which they thoroughly prepared in terms of training and competition equipment. However, two weeks ago, after the cycling team had already departed for the Olympics, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) reallocated additional slots to Nigeria in the Keirin and individual sprint events due to the disqualification of another country. This unexpected opportunity required the use of specialized equipment different from that used in the road race.

“For this track race reallocated to Team Nigeria, a very specific type of equipment approved for the Olympic track event is required,” Owan said. “Acquiring this equipment usually takes months. However, through collaborative efforts with Ese’s club in Europe and a German-owned company, a ‘Track Bike’ was secured for Ese.”

Minister Owan confirmed that Ese Ukpeseraye is now fully prepared to compete in the individual sprint event scheduled for August 9, 2024, the race she initially qualified for.

The Sports Ministry remains committed to ensuring that all Nigerian athletes are fully supported as they represent the nation on the world stage.

 

FG Set to Groom Outstanding Athletes from Sports Festival

FG Set to Groom Outstanding Athletes from Sports Festival

 

 

Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports Development Report- The Federal Government has assured that it will groom the best of the outstanding athletes discovered from the ongoing National Sports Festival with a view to developing their sporting skills for global competitions

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar gave the assurance lately, while responding to questions from journalists shortly after watching some Athletics Competitions at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

Ismaila Abubakar stated that the Ministry has assigned some of its key officials in the various sporting event venues with the responsibility of identifying the best among the athletes while the competitions are going on to be groomed to win laurels for the country at International Competitions

This he said, will not only help in bringing out the sporting potentials of the athletes but will also provide for the realization of the objectives of the sports festival.

When asked on his general assessment of Delta State Government’s level of preparation for the hosting of the Festival, the Permanent Secretary said that the State Government deserves commendation, especially with the provision of necessary infrastructure put in place and the creation of an enabling environment for the athletes to compete favourably at the shortest possible time.

“Under normal circumstances, the hosting State is given two years to prepare, but this time around with just one year that was given to Delta State, you can see that they have been able to live up to our expectations,” Abubakar said.

He called on the athletes to make good use of the opportunities provided for them to exhibit their sporting skills for podium performances so that they can be identified and groomed to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games, Olympics as well as other International sporting competitions.