Tijani Wins First Medal for Team Nigeria At Rio Paralympics

Tijani Wins First Medal for Team Nigeria At Rio Paralympics

Team Nigeria has clinched its first medal at the ongoing Paralympics in Rio, Brazil after powerlifting athlete Latifat Tijani took home Silver in the women’s 45kg Power lifting event.

Tijani came in second after a close competition in the finals, lifting a remarkable, one kilo short of the feat of China’s Hu Dandan who set a new world record with her 107kg lift.

She entered the competition at 101, a kilo ahead of other competitors whose best shots fell below 100.

The Nigerian lifter made a bright start, lifting 101 to smash the earlier existing Paralympics record, only her feat was short-lived as China’s Dandan Hu set a new one of 102.

A keen two-way contest then ensued between Tijani and Hu, but it was the Chinese that took the day, winning gold in style by setting a new World and Paralympics record with 107.0 to finish tops.

Completing the podium for the bronze medal is Great Britain’s Zoe Newson.

Nigeria won all her six medals at the London 2012 Paralympics in the powerlifting event with four gold and two silver.And as things stand, it won’t be a surprise if the athletes repeat the same feat in this year’s competition.

Also making Nigeria proud at the paralympic games is Roland Ezurike,who is competing in the 54kg category of the powerlifting event. Ezurike is on a record breaking spree today at the ongoing games, and Nigerians are hopeful of a medal from him. The following tweets testify:

Nigeria’s Roland Ezurike has set two #Paralympics #Powerlifting records and the competition isn’t even done yet. Almost sure to win gold.

— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) September 9, 2016

Maybe Roland should try another class, – 54kg is too cheap, he’s their daddy. Broken record twice already.

— Latipha Adebayo (@Phatill) September 9, 2016

He has shattered his own record, for the 3rd time today. 205.5 on his 4th attempt that’s a new PR. Roland is the king! #PARALYMPICS

— Latipha Adebayo (@Phatill) September 9, 2016

China currently tops the table with 21 medals, while Kenya is the highest ranking African side on 12th. Nigeria sits joint 28th on the standings.

Success for the Paralympians would be a much-needed compensation for Nigeria after the no-show of her athletes at the Rio Olympics where only the U23 football team managed a bronze medal.