Julius OkoriePara-Powerlifter, Onyinyechi Mark, has clinched Nigeria’s first gold medal at the ongoing Paralympics Games in Paris France, breaking her own record in the process.
Onyinyechi competing 61kg Para-Powerlifting category, hit gold by lifting 150kg weight on Friday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIndications that it was going to be jolly ride for the Mark, emerged when she made light work of her first attempt in the women’s up 61kg Para-Powerlifting, easily lifting 140kg to go into the lead. In her second attempt, Onyinyechi entered 145kg, which will be 3kg more than the previous Paralympic Record.
She won the gold medal for Nigeria with one lift to spare. In her third attempt, she broke the Paralympic Record in women’s 61kg, smashing Lucy Ejike’s record and setting a new one of 145kg.
After securing the gold medal in women’s up 61kg Para-Powerlifting, Onyinyechi returned to smash the World Record she had set earlier.
In her final attempt, she lifted a breathtaking weight of 147kg to win the gold medal for Nigeria. Onyinyechi has now set the last three World Records in this event: 146kg, 147kg and 150kg. With the medal won by Onyinyechi Mark, Nigeria now occupy 53rd position on the medal level with one gold, one Silver and one Bronze.
China currently leads the table with 170 medals made up of 74 gold, 57 Silver and 39 Bronze. Great Britain, United States, Netherlands and France complete the top five.
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Sports Minister Commends Onyinyechi
Meanwhile, the Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh, has hailed Onyinyechi mark for hitting gold in France. The Minister took to the social media to felicitate with the athlete for lifting the nation to greater heights.
“Congratulations Onyinyechi Mark! Today, you hoisted the flag of our great nation at the ongoing Paralympics, having won Nigeria’s first Olympic Gold medal at the ongoing Paralympics. Not only did you lift 147kg to break the Paralympics record and win a Gold Medal, you took a challenge given to you, 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 self and for country, “said the Minister.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
