Team Nigeria’s seven-medal performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, which concluded on Sunday, marked the country’s poorest showing at the event.
Nigeria wrapped up the competition with a total of two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals, finishing in 40th place on the overall medal table.
On the final day, Folashade Oluwafemiayo delivered an outstanding performance in the women’s over 86 kg para-powerlifting, where she not only secured a gold medal but also set a new world record.
Oluwafemiayo became the first para-athlete in history to lift 166 kg, capping off Nigeria’s participation in the Games in historic fashion.
Her remarkable feat increased Nigeria’s medal tally to seven at the Paralympics. Earlier, Team Nigeria had a successful penultimate day, with Isau Ogunkunle winning a bronze medal in para-table tennis, Bose Omolayo claiming silver in para-powerlifting, and Flora Ugwunwa taking silver in the women’s javelin event.
Ogunkunle’s bronze in the Men’s Singles Class 4 Para Table Tennis event was a milestone as he became the first Nigerian to win an individual medal in the sport since the Sydney 2000 Paralympics.
Omolayo, on her part, lifted an impressive 145kg to win silver in the Women’s 79kg Para Powerlifting, while Ugwunwa’s throw of 19.26 meters in the F54 Women’s Javelin earned her second place in a fiercely competitive field.
Before Saturday’s medal surge, Nigeria had already won three medals in powerlifting, para-table tennis, and para-badminton.
Onyinyechi Mark secured the country’s first gold in Paris on Friday, lifting 150kg in the women’s 61 kg para-powerlifting event.
Despite Nigeria’s captain, Loveline Obiji, being disqualified from competing in the women’s 86kg para-powerlifting, Oluwafemiayo rose to the occasion on the final day, ensuring a grand finish for the team by clinching the gold.
While the athletes’ efforts brought in seven medals; two gold, three silver, and two bronze, the overall result at Paris 2024 was a significant drop from the country’s previous Paralympic performances.
Since its debut in the Barcelona 1992 Games, where Nigeria sent only six athletes and won three gold medals, the nation had consistently delivered stronger showings.
At the 1996 Atlanta Games, with just eight athletes, the country claimed three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals.
Sydney 2000 was a historic high for Team Nigeria, as they secured seven gold, one silver, and five bronze medals, totaling 13 and finishing in 22nd position.
However, by the Beijing 2008 Games, the medal count had dropped to four gold, four silver, and one bronze. London 2012 saw Nigeria rebound with six gold, five silver, and two bronze medals, matching the medal count from Sydney.
Rio 2016 remains Nigeria’s most successful Paralympic outing, with the team winning eight gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.
Unfortunately, this momentum wasn’t maintained at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where the tally dropped to four gold, one silver, and five bronze medals.
The two gold medals won in Paris 2024 represent the country’s lowest haul since its Paralympic debut in Barcelona.
