Nigeria wrapped up its performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, securing the 40th spot in the final medal standings with seven medals. The country’s medal tally comprises two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals, with the female athletes claiming six out of the seven medals.
The Nigerian Paralympic team’s medal-winning performances were inspiring, especially after failures in the Olympic Games.
Fashade Oluwafemiayo
Folashade Oluwafemiayo set a new World Record in the women’s over 86 kg Para-Powerlifting category by lifting 166 kg, making her the first Para-athlete ever to achieve this feat. She surpassed her previous World Record of 165 kg and secured a gold medal with her outstanding performance.
Onyinyechi Mark
Onyinyechi Mark won Nigeria’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paralympics Games in Paris, France, lifting 147 kg to win gold. Following her accomplishment, she embraced a challenge, lifting 150 kg just 10 minutes later to establish a new world record in the women’s 61 kg category of the para-powerlifting event at the Games.
The 23-year-old won a silver medal at the 2021 World Para-Powerlifting Championship in Georgia and gold at the same competition in Dubai two years later.
Flora Ugwunwa
Flora Ugwunwa secured a silver medal in the Women’s Javelin F54 event at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris, throwing an impressive 19.26 m.
She secured second place behind Uzbekistan’s Nurkhon Kurbanova, who clinched the gold medal with a throw of 21.12 m, establishing a new world record and surpassing Ugwunwa’s Paralympic record of 20.25 m set in 2016.
Flora, 40, keeps excelling, having secured three successive Paralympic medals—two golds in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, and now a silver medal in Paris 2024.
Bose Omolayo
Omolayo lifted a remarkable 145 kg to secure another silver for Nigeria. Despite suffering an arm injury during the competition, she finished second behind China’s Han Miayou, who broke the world record with a 154 kg lift. Before her latest win, Omolayo won the gold medal in powerlifting at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Esther Nworgu
Esther Nworgu smashed two Paralympics records, lifting a whopping 112 kg and 118 kg in the women’s 41 kg category. She finished second place, clinching the silver medal for Nigeria behind China’s Zhe Cui, who broke Nworgu’s record with an impressive 113 kg and 119 kg, reclaiming the lead and securing the gold medal position.
In 2022, Nworgu shattered the world record with an astounding 114 kg lift, surpassing Guo Lingling’s previous record of 111 kg. This remarkable feat solidified her status as a powerhouse in powerlifting, showcasing her unparalleled strength and determination on the global stage.
Eniola Bolaji
Eniola Bolaji made history by becoming the first African athlete to clinch a medal in Para-Badminton. She secured a bronze medal for Nigeria in the Women’s Singles SL3 category. The 18-year-old emerged victorious over her Ukrainian opponent, Oksana Kozyna, with a flawless performance, winning in straight sets 2-0 (21-9, 21-9) to claim Nigeria’s inaugural Paralympics medal in Paris.
Following her success at the 2024 Paralympics, Bolaji became the first African player to win a medal in Badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics. She also set new records as the first African player to win a match at the Paralympics and to reach the semifinals in Badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics. Bolaji stands out as the only player to win a medal for Nigeria in Badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics.
Reacting to their achievements, Senator Enoh said,
“We are immensely proud of our Team Nigeria Paralympic athletes. They have brought us immense pride and joy with their incredible performances on the global stage. Their dedication, resilience, and passion embody the true spirit of Nigeria, and they continue to inspire millions with their remarkable achievements.”
These remarkable accomplishments demonstrate the relentless effort and incredible talent of these female Para-athletes, who have solidified their place among the global sporting elite with their exceptional performances.
