Para-powerlifting athlete Onyinyechi Mark won gold in the women’s 61kg category and set a new world record after lifting an incredible 147kg at the La Chapelle Arena in Paris on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the ongoing 2024 Paralympic Games.

The 23-year-old beat the duo of Chinese para-powerlifter Cui Jianjin, who lifted 140 kg to win silver, and Mexican para-powerlifter Amelia Perez, who won bronze after lifting 130 kg at the global showpiece in France.

ALSO READ: Nigeria’s D’Tigress Qualifies For First Olympic Quarterfinal After Beating Canadahttps://theaccomplishmagazine.com/2024/08/04/nigerias-dtigress-qualifies-for-first-olympic-quarterfinal-after-beating-canada/

Onyinyechi’s win is Nigeria’s first gold medal and the country’s third medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games after Eniola Bolaji won bronze in the women’s singles SL3 badminton event, while Esther Nworgu won Nigeria’s second medal in France after finishing second to win silver in the women’s 41 kg para-powerlifting event.

Nigerians are also optimistic of a medal win for the legendary Lucy Ejike, who is competing in the 67 kg category of the women’s para-powerlifting event.

Prior to the 2024 Paralympic Games, Lucy Ejike, who is now 46, had won 3 Paralympic gold medals for Team Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Paralympic athletes have been hailed for bringing glory to the country after none of the athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris won a medal.