Recently updated on January 31st, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Nigeria and Jordan have emerged overall winners of the 2018 Fazza World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Nigeria and Jordan finished top of the medals table with four golds. Nigeria won two golds each in both the women and men categories. Ukraine won two golds and two silvers to finish in third position. Hosts United Arab Emirates ended fourth with two golds and one bronze.
Nigeria’s reigning Paralympic and world champion Paul Kehinde sets a new world record in the men’s 65 kg category at the 2018 Fazza World Para Powerlifting World Cup. The 29-year-old lifted 221 kg to break the previous record of 220.5 kg he set at the 2017 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Mexico in November.
In his words:
“I’m very happy with my performance. I put God first in everything I do and I believe that is why I have been achieving these results.
Coach Are and his wife also motivate me a lot. The coach is always telling us to believe in ourselves and that we can achieve anything despite our status. His words have always kept us going even when things are tough. Whatever I achieve, I owe to God, my teammates, coaches and Nigeria.”
Furthermore, Folashade Oluwafeniayo broke the world record in the women’s up to 86 kg. The 32-year-old cleared the bar at 146 kg, a 1 kg increase from the mark she had set last year on her way to gold at the Mexico City 2017 World Championships.
Nigeria’s winning details (gold medals), participants and results at the competition are as follows:
- Senior – Men’s Up to 49.00 kg: EZURUIKE Roland (192)
- Senior – Men’s Up to 65.00 kg: KEHINDE Paul Olumide (221)
- Senior – Women’s Up to 55.00 kg: OYEMA Esther (125)
- Senior – Women’s Up to 86.00 kg: OLUWAFENIAYO Folashade (146)
Over 128 powerlifters from 30 countries competed at the competition.
