Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Roland Ezuruike told www.aclsports.com that his target is to set a new World Record in the men’s -54kg at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
The 17th Paralympics Games is scheduled for 28th August to 8th September 2024 in Paris, France.
The Rio 2016 Paralympic gold medallist revealed that he is mentally and physically fit to make Nigeria proud at the Paralympics.
The 2015 All African Games gold medallist commended the Federal Ministry of Sports Development for ensuring the para powerlifters embark on their final training tour in Germany.
He assured that the para powerlifters would wipe the shame of Nigerians after the disastrous outing at the Olympics.
Ezuruike said, “After winning a gold medal at the Para Powerlifting World Cup last March, I set my eyes on making Nigeria proud in subsequent international tournaments. My target is to win a gold medal for Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and set a new World Record. I am determined because I missed the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics where I could have given my country a medal.
“People especially my loved ones have been asking if I am ready; my answer to them is I am mentally, physically, and psychologically fit to make my country proud. I want to use this opportunity to thank the Federal Ministry of Sports Development for ensuring that para-athletes have an opportunity to embark on a foreign training tour weeks before the Games.
He said, “I strongly believe that the para-athletes are going to perform excellently well and salvage the country from this shame. The para-athletes have always done it in the past but I hope our Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh will appreciate the para-athletes when we win medals for the country.
Nine para powerlifters will represent Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics and they are:
Women- Esther Nworgu (-41kg), Bose Bejide (-50kg), Lucy Ejike (-67kg), Bose Omolayo (-79kg), Lovelyn Obiji (-82.5kg) and Folashade Oluwafemiayo (-86kg)
Men- Thomas Kure (-65kg) and Roland Ezuruike (-54kg)
