Nigeria’s Esther Oyema, Roland Ezuruike and Paul Kehinde emerged champions of their respective weight categories at the Fazza 2018 World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
London 2012 champion Esther Oyema secured gold in the women’s up to 55kg after clearing the bar at 125kg, a lift that would have made her secure gold at the 2017 World Championships in Mexico City.
The Nigerian finished ahead of Turkey’s Yasemin Ceylan (100kg) and Indonesia’s Rani Puji Astuti (80kg), who completed the top three.
The other Paralympic gold medallist who enjoyed success in Dubai was Nigeria’s reigning Paralympic and world champion Roland Ezuruike, who won the men’s up to 54kg following a 192kg lift. Kazakhstan’s David Degtyarev (147kg) sealed silver.
Rio Olympic gold medalist, Paul Kehinde won another gold medal for Nigeria on Monday in the men’s up to 65kg with a 221 lift in his second attempt. Kehinde in his first attempt lifted 210kg. The World Champion on his third attempt failed to lift 223; 2kg above his second attempt.
In second position was Algeria’s Hocine Bettir with 183kg while Bonnie Bunya Gustin of Maldives placed third lifting 157kg.
On Thursday, World Champion, Folashade Alice Oluwafemiayo is expected to participate in the women’s up to 86kg at the championships. The team is been led by coach Kemi Oyebola
