Int’l Para Powerlifting Championships: Nigeria lead with 15 medals

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIAN male and female powerlifters dominated Day 1 of the ongoing International Para Powerlifting Championships by winning 15 medals (7 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze) in seven different weight classes at the Lagos Oriental Hotel in Lagos on Monday, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

Esther Nworgu and Loveth Abokin both national silver medallist, won gold medals in the women’s 41kg and 49kg respectively.

Nworgu lifted 85kg in her first attempt, 95kg in the second attempt but failed to lift 102kg in her third attempt to beat Lucy Ihouma who manages to lift 85kg in her first attempt and failed in her second and third attempts.

Abokin, who finished top ahead of former National Champion, Rukayat Ajiboye and Onyebueke Chinonso, lifted the 93kg on her second attempt before proceeding to lift the 102kg on her third attempt, but the gold medal due to her body weight (42.75kg).

In the senior men’s 49kg, 2012 Paralympic champion, Yakub Adesokan won gold after lifting 160 and 180 in his first and third attempts. Emmanuel Ugwu with a lift of 130kg and 150kg placed second while Punshak Istiganus finished third place after lifting 100kg and 121kg in his first and third attempts.

Meanwhile, Punshak Istiganus won gold in the junior men’s 49kg.

2018 National Champion, Oluwatoyosi Osewa continued her fine form lifting 80kg, 95kg and 105kg to win gold in the women’s 50kg event. 

Happiness Nnadi came second lifting 80kg, 95kg and 102kg while Cameroon’s Suzanne Menye-Meto placed third with a lift of 76kg in her third attempt.

After a disastrous outing at the 2018 National Sports Festival, Esther Oyema returned to winning ways lifting 105, 115 and 125 to win gold in the senior women’s 55kg while youngster Onyinyechi Mark finished second lifting 105 and 115 in her first and second attempt. Ifeoluwa Alake claimed third position.

Onyinyechi Mark won herself a gold medal in the junior women’s 55kg event.