Nigeria won a total number of seven medals at the just concluded 2023 World Para Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai.
Nigeria won two gold medals coming from Kafilat Almaruf (71kg) and Onyinyechi Mark (57kg); two silver medals from Bose Omolayo (73kg) and Esther Nworgu (41kg) while Roland Ezuruike (54kg), Folashade Oluwafemiayo (79kg) and Thomas Kure (65kg) won three bronze medals.
Kafila Almaruf brought the first gold for Nigeria in the championships with a powerful show that also saw her breaking a long-standing world record.
This was Almaruf’s first World Championships title as she lifted 151 kg to set a new mark, breaking France’s Souhad Ghazouani record of 150 kg set in 2013. Ghazouni took the bronze with 131 kg.
Meanwhile, Mark, who won bronze at the Tbilisi 2021 Worlds, appeared stronger than ever to break her own world record set at the Cairo 2022 African Open Championships at 143 kg, not once but twice at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor city.
Nigeria’s Paralympic, world and Commonwealth Games champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo faltered in her final lift; a world record attempt of 156 kg to settle for 152 kg and bronze medal.
Pictures culled from: World Para Powerlifting
