Nigerian powerlifter Onyinyechi Mark has won the gold medal in the women’s 61kg powerlifting category at the ongoing 2024 Paris Paralympics in France, lifting an impressive 150kg.
The 23-year-old triumphed on Friday, defeating China’s Cui Jianjin, who claimed silver with a lift of 140kg, and Mexico’s Amelia Perez, who took the bronze medal with a lift of 130kg.
In a congratulatory tweet on Friday, the Minister of Sports, John Enoh, lauded Mark’s efforts for putting Nigeria’s name on the global stage.
His tweets read, “Congratulations Onyinyechi Mark! Today, you hoisted the flag of our great nation at the ongoing Paralympics, having won Nigeria’s first Olympics gold medal at the ongoing Paralympics. Not only did you lift 147kg to break the Paralympic record and win a gold medal, but you took a challenge given to you and lifted 150kg to set a new world record. Bravo!!
“You have brought immense pride and joy to Nigerians, you have built a momentum which makes a worthy statement of the resilient Nigerian spirit. We are so proud of you, the government and sports-loving people of Nigeria celebrate you our champ! Thank you for doing it for yourself and the country.”
Mark’s recent win secures Team Nigeria’s third medal at the 2024 Paralympics event.
Before now, Eniola Bolaji made history as the first African athlete to win a medal in Para-Badminton, securing a bronze medal for Nigeria in the Women’s Singles SL3 category.
Bolaji defeated her Ukrainian opponent, Oksana Kozyna, by 2-0 in straight sets (21-9, 21-9).
Also, Esther Nworgu earned a silver medal in the women’s 41kg para-powerlifting category.
Team Nigeria’s para-powerlifters have continued to make history across competitions.
They won the 2021 Para-powerlifting World Cup in Manchester after carting home a total of eight gold and three silver medals to beat 18 other countries at the competition, with the team including Lucy Ejike, Jonah Ben, Bose Omolayo, Tijani Latifat, Yakubu Adesokan, Ibrahim Dauda, Thomas Kure, among others.
Mark was also a part of that team as she won the silver medal in the women’s 55kg, losing to Ukraine’s Mariana Shevchuk.
