Team Nigeria rises to 16th in Rio Paralympics medals table with two gold and two silver

NIGERIA has won a second gold medal at the ongoing Rio Paralympic Games with powerlifter Paul Kehinde emerging tops in the 65kg men's category last night with a winning lift of 218kg.

 

His victory now elevates Nigeria up to 16th in the medals with two gold and two silver medals after Esther Oyema also won silver in the women's 55kg powerlifting event yesterday. Earlier in the week, Roland Ezuruike clinched gold in the men's 54kg event and Latifat Tijani picked up silver in the women's 45kg event.

 

Despite being accorded a second class status, Nigeria's physically challenged athletes have always done the country proud at the Paralympics. Nigeria won three gold medals when she made her debut at the competition in Barcelona, in 1992 and finished 35th on the medals table.

 

Also the games at the turn of the century at Sydney 2000, the country had a remarkable outing as Team Nigeria had their most successful outing winning seven gold, one silver and five bronze medals. This saw Nigeria finish 22nd on the overall medals table.