Sports
Paralympics: Nigeria Wins Powerlifting Gold Medal …Sets New World Record
Nigeria got off to a
bright
start at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, yesterday by winning a gold medal
and setting a new world record.
World record holder Yakubu Adesokan won the gold medal in
the men’s +48 kg powerlifting on Day One of competition at the ExCel – South
Arena 3 by lifting 180 kg.
He thus set a new Paralympic and world record to help erase
memories of his country’s dismal performances at the Olympic Games at the same
venue a few weeks ago.
The 33-year-old Nigerian had on February 22, 2012 in Dubai,
the UAE set the world record of 177 kg.
Nigeria’s Ruel Ishaku had also held the Paralympic record of
169 kg set on September 9, 2008 at the last Games in Beijing, China.
This time around, Adesokan had started off in Group A of the
11-lifter event, and emerged the best after three attempts by each competitor.
He first lifted 172 kg, and then 178 kg, before lifting a
record-setting 180 kg.
Vladimir Balynetc of Russia won the event’s silver medal
with a lift of 170 kg, while Taha Abdelmagid of Egypt won the bronze with a
lift of 165 kg.