Paralympics 2024: Onyinyechi Mark breaks world record, wins Nigeria’s first Gold medal in Paris

• Nigerian powerlifter Onyinyechi Mark sets a new Paralympic record in the women’s 61kg powerlifting division with a lift of 150kg at Paris 2024.
• Onyinyechi Mark surpasses the former record held by Nigerian powerlifter Lucy Ejike.
• Onyinyechi Mark’s performance wins Nigeria its first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
• China’s Cui Jianjin wins silver with a 140kg lift; Mexico’s Amelia Perez claims bronze with 130kg.

Nigerian powerlifter Onyinyechi Mark has set a new Paralympic record in the women’s 61kg division with a remarkable lift of 150kg.

This achievement, accomplished at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, surpasses the previous record held by compatriot Lucy Ejike.

Onyinyechi Mark’s exceptional performance not only broke the record but also earned Nigeria its first gold medal of the Games.

The 23-year-old athlete’s triumph came as she outperformed China’s Cui Jianjin, who secured the silver with a 140kg lift, and Mexico’s Amelia Perez, who took bronze with a 130kg lift.

Nigeria’s legacy in the Paralympics is well-established, particularly in powerlifting and track events.

The country’s athletes previously earned ten medals, including four gold, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Powerlifters like Lucy Ejike and Bose Omolayo have consistently set world records and contributed to Nigeria’s esteemed reputation in the sport.

In other news, Mariam Eniola Bolaji has won Team Nigeria’s 1st medal of Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in the Para badminton Women’s singles SL3 event.

Bolaji secured Nigeria’s first medal of the Games by winning the bronze after a dominant victory over Ukraine’s Kozyna Oksana.

Bolaji overpower her opponent in straight sets, winning 21-9, 21-9.

Bolaji’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of historic. She made headlines earlier in the tournament by becoming the first African to reach the semifinals in Parabadminton at the Paralympics.