Team Nigeria’s medal tally at the ongoing Rio 2016 Paralympic Games increased to six on Sunday, September 11, courtesy of Nnamdi Innocent’s performance in the men’s -72kg class in the Powerlifting event held at the Riocentro Pavillion 2.
Innocent’s first attempt at 203kg was successful, elevating him to the top spot until China’s Lei Liu took over with his superior first attempt of 216kg. However, Iraq’s Rasool Mohsin went on to set a Paralympic and World Record of 220kg after failing his first attempt at 215kg.
Liu responded by lifting 221kg in his second attempt, and both he and Mohsin then made attempts at 229kg at their third, but failed. As such, Liu took the GOLD medal, while Mohsin clinched Silver, as the Nigerian won Bronze with his second attempt of 210kg, after an unsuccessful lift of 215kg.
Earlier in the day, teammate Lucy Ejike won GOLD in the women’s -61kg category, setting a Paralympic and World Record of 142kg. Esther Oyema and Paul Kehinde won Silver and GOLD individually the previous day, while Latifat Tijani and Roland Ezuruike scooped Silver and GOLD respectively on Friday.
Incidentally, all six medals won by Nigeria at the Rio Paralympics thus far were secured in the Powerlifting event. Another powerlifter, Tolulope Taiwo will compete in the men’s -80kg class later in the day.
