Nigeria finished second overall at the African Open Para-Powerlifting Championships in Oran with an outstanding haul of 49 medals after Onyinyechi Mark smashed both the world and African records on the final day of competition, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Team Nigeria ended the four-day championships with 32 gold, 12 silver and five bronze medals, behind only Egypt, who topped the standings with 84 medals comprising 47 gold, 28 silver and nine bronze medals.
Onyinyechi produced the standout display of the competition in the women’s 67kg category, setting new world record as Nigeria’s reputation as a dominant force in para-powerlifting continue to grow.
Another major highlight came from Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in the women’s +86kg category to continue her remarkable success on the continental stage.
In the women’s 50kg category, Anigbogu Chikordi Esther claimed silver after lifting 114kg, narrowly finishing behind compatriot Ajiboye Rukayat, who won gold with a lift of 115kg in a fiercely contested all-Nigerian battle.
The championships also served as a crucial qualification pathway for the World Championships scheduled for December in Bahrain, while athletes earned valuable ranking points towards qualification for the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.
Organised by World Para Powerlifting in collaboration with the Algerian Handisport Federation and under the supervision of Algeria’s Ministry of Sports, the event featured 151 athletes, including 92 men and 59 women, representing 15 African nations as well as Asian countries such as Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Bahrain, alongside Greece from Europe.
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