First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, Extends Congratulations To Onyinyechi Mark For Her Impressive Feat In Winning A Gold Medal.

Paralympic Games: Nigerian Athletes Shine

By Deji Elumoye in Beijing, China

In an exciting development at the Paralympic Games in Paris, France, Onyinyechi Mark from Nigeria has secured a gold medal in the Women’s 61kg powerlifting event. This remarkable achievement is not only a victory for Mark but also for the entire nation.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the President, personally expressed her congratulations to Onyinyechi Mark. In a statement, Senator Tinubu stated, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Onyinyechi Mark on winning the first gold medal for Nigeria at the Paralympic Games and setting multiple world records! Your incredible achievement serves as an inspiration to all, showcasing what can be accomplished through dedication, commitment, resilience, and perseverance. You have made history and paved the way for others to dream big and aim high. Nigeria is proud of you, and we, the womenfolk, are even prouder. I pray that you continue to experience success and achieve many more victories.”

Onyinyechi Mark’s victory in the Women’s 61kg powerlifting event was not only a gold medal win but also a groundbreaking moment. She set a new world record by lifting an impressive 150kg. This is Nigeria’s first gold medal since the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. Mark had previously held the world record, and she shattered it twice during the competition. Her lifts of 147kg and 150kg surpassed her own Paralympic Games and World records of 145kg and 146kg, respectively. The final lift of 150kg not only set a new world record but also a Paralympics record, receiving applause from the spectators.

In the Women’s 61kg powerlifting event, China’s Jianjin Ciu won the silver medal with a 140kg lift, while Mexico’s Amalia Vazquez Perez claimed the bronze with a 130kg lift.

Team Nigeria athletes continue to excel at the Games, securing two more silver medals and a bronze medal. Flora Ugwunwa achieved a silver medal in the women’s Javelin F54 category with a throw of 19.26m, finishing second in the event. Similarly, Bose Omolayo won another silver medal in the women’s 79kg Para-Powerlifting event by lifting an impressive 145kg. In the men’s Para-Table Tennis Singles Class 4, Isau Ogunkunle secured a bronze medal, making him the first Nigerian player to win an individual medal in this event since the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.