Ezuruike wins gold medal in powerlifting

•Sets New Paralympic Record, As Tijani Grabs Silver
Rolland Ezuruike yesterday at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in Brazil sets a new Paralympic record of 190kg in the men’s 54kg to win gold medal for Team Nigeria.

The Nigerian shattered the former Paralympic record of 185kg before extending it to 190kg with a second lift.

Earlier, Latifat Tijani had won the first medal for Team Nigeria, clinching silver in the women’s -45kg Powerlifting event.

The Nigerian athlete could have clinched gold if not for the outstanding China’s Dandan Hu, who set a World and Paralympics Record (PR) of 107kg to best other competitors.

Twice Tijani set Paralympics record in this event, and on every occasion, Hu had a better response to erase the record of her Nigerian counterpart.

Tijani started by lifting 101kg which was a PR as the time she did it, but it was short-lived as Hu lifted 102kg The Nigerian tried 104kg in her 2nd attempt but failed it, with Hu going on to consolidate her lead with 105kg.

Great Britain’s Zoe Newson came into the mix and even led at some point at 102kg, with Tijani moving down to 3rd, however the Nigerian bounced back and lifted 106kg, which was a PR then, but Hu had other ideas as she lifted 107kg, a new WR & PR to relegate Tijani to Silver.

Nigeria has always been dominant in Powerlifting, which has seen them win many medals at Paralympic Games. This latest feat could be the tonic to open the way for more medals for Team Nigeria in Rio.