Para-Athletics Targets Good Olympic Outing In Rio

Athletes competing for honours in a sprints 100 metres women race, at a past national competition.

The Sprints Head Coach, Para-athletics Federation of Nigeria (PFN), Adesoji Adekunle yesterday expressed optimism that Nigeria would have a good outing at the forthcoming Paralympic Games.
“I am very optimistic that we will have a good outing at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with the successes recorded at the Grand Prix in Tunis,’’ he said.
Adekunle told newsmen in Lagos after the third series of International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics Grand Prix that Nigeria won two gold medals, two silver and a bronze.
The Grand Prix held from March 24 to March 26.
“I am happy with our performance and also elated that the athletes have qualified for Rio de Janeiro Games.
“I am equally happy to be a successful coach, all glory be to God almighty for a successful outing,’’ he told reporters.
Our source reports that Suwaibidu Galadima won a gold medal in the T47 men’s 100m with a time of 11.19 and Silver in the 200m.
Saidi Adedeji won gold in T47, men’s 400m and bronze in the 200m, while Chioma Uwaoma won silver in the T38, women’s 200m.
Tunisa’s Raja Jebali recorded 21.50m in the women’s Discus throw F40, thereby surpassing the world record set by Lauritta Onye at the 2015 World Championships.
Olajumoke Olajide, classed T53 broke the African record of Anne Wafula of Kenya after 11 years at the second series held in Dubai from March 17 to March 20.
Olajide returned placed second with a time of 18.51 in the 100m.
Hannah Babalola also won gold in the 100m T54 class after he returned a time of 17.17 in Dubai.
T45-47 are track athletes whose upper limbs are affected by limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement.
T35-T38 athletes are specialised in track events and have coordination impairments like Hypertonia, Ataxia and Athetosis.