Orji Breaks World Record as Nigeria Claims 8th Gold At Rio Olympics

Orji Breaks World Record as Nigeria Claims 8th Gold At Rio Olympics

Nigeria’s exploits at the Rio 2016 Paralympics continued Wednesday as Josephine Orji won another gold for the country in the women’s +86kg Powerlifting.

Orji lifted an astonishing 160kg to break her own previous world record of 153kg which she had set in 2015 at the IPC World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Orji entered the competition after lifting 151kg in her first attempt before failing to lift 154kg in her second attempt. But she ensured that the world record was broken in her third attempt as she cleared 154kg. The fourth attempt further extended the record by 6kg.

Poland’s Marzena Zieba won silver with a lift of 134kg, while Netherlands’ Melaica Tuinfort won bronze after lifting her best mark of 130kg.

The Powerlifting arm of the International Paralympic Committee praised Nigeria’s dominance in the event.

“WOOOOOOOOOOOW Nigeria does it again! Gold medal and new world record for Josephine Orji who lifts 154 kg in the Women’s +86 kg #Paralympics,” the IPC wrote.

“And again! New World Record for Orji who lifts 160KG #RIORECORDS #RIO2016 #PARALYMPICS.”

Her feat brings Nigeria’s haul to 11medals – eight gold, two silver and one bronze medals, as the country retains her place as the best African country on the medals table, and now 10th overall.