Rio Paralympics: Team Nigeria Wins First Gold

Chinenye Nduka

Team Nigeria has won its first gold medal from the ongoing 2016 Paralympics in Rio. Roland Ezuruike provided the golden moment, winning the 54Kg event in astonishing manner.

Ezuruike set three Paralympics records in his run to win the top prize.

Earlier in the day Latifat Tijani won silver medal for Nigeria. She lifted 106kg in the 45kg category to place second behind China’s Dandan Hu.

The physically challenged athletes have over the years done Nigeria proud despite the second class treatment they usually receive.

Nigeria made its Paralympics debut in Barcelona where she won three gold medals to finish 35th in the medal table.

While the heroics of Atlanta 96 is often celebrated, the Paralympics Team did even better than the Olympians, winning three gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

The turn of the century at Sydney 2000 is very remarkable in the Nigeria Paralympics history. Team Nigeria had their most successful outing; winning seven gold, one silver and five bronze medals. This feat saw them finishing 22nd in the overall medals table.