By Abdulkareem Macualay
Little was known of para powerlifting sport in Nigeria, until 1996, when it made its debut at National Sports Festival event – Imo ’96.
Para powerlifting,an adaptation of the sport powerlifting (for able athletes) is for athletes with disabilities.
Prior to the advent of powerlifting, the sports sector of the country, made remarkable achievements in the weightlifting and wrestling and boxing disciplines respectively, alongside some other sports, but powerlifting turned the tide at the 2012 Barcelona Olympic Games and subsequent international Games from that time.
In the Olympics, countries vieing for honours in Para powerlifting are given oppurtunity to compete in sixteen (16) weight categories, culminating into 16 medal hauls, 8 for male and same number for female athletes.
Nigerias athletes last appearance at the Paralympic Games, due to injuries, won 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medals.
Bose Omoalayo a Delta State athlete has been a most consistent medal winner,but she clinched a Silver medal, after she prepared so hard to win an overall Gold medal and create a new world record,due to injury.
Another athlete from Abia State Gift, won a Gold medal at her 1st appearance and equally set a new world record in her category and weight class. Sade Oluwafunmilayo also from Delta State won Gold at the last Olympic Games and set a new world record.
Solomon Amaraku aka “Iron Baba” from Edo State won Nigerias 1st Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games held in London, United Kingdom
At the next edition of the Commonwealth Games, billed for Glasgow, Scotland,Nigerian paralympic athletes are poised to do well in para powerlifting discipline as well as in the Paralympic Games,scheduled for Los Angeles, U,S.A, in 2028, a national coach, Mr Iduh Jude Omeike,boasted.
Ahead of the postponed National Sports Festival, now to hold in May,the Federation will take part in the 1st NDDC Games,taking place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in April,where athletes will compete and tune up for upcoming events,both locally and at the international levels respectively,to showcase paralympic powerlifting as foremost among equals,the coach concluded.
