9th April, 2014
Nigeria on Wednesday won its third gold medal at the ongoing International Powerlifting Committee (IPC) World Championships in Dubai, according to The Technical Director, Nigeria Para-powerlifting Federation (NPPF), Samuel Ekeoma.
Ekeoma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Dubai that Ijeoma Ihurobiem won the third gold for the country.
He said that Ihurobiem won the gold after lifting 124kg in the 73kg women’s category.
NAN reports that Nigeria is being represented at the world championships by eight males and five females.
The Technical Director said that so far, Nigeria had won three gold and one bronze medal at the competition.
“This competition has been a remarkable one for our athletes. Yakubu Adesokan won the first gold medal for us.
“Adesokan broke his world record of 178kg in 46kg he earlier set at the 2012 London Olympic Games by lifting 181kg in the same category.
“Esther Oyema, won the second gold for Nigeria by setting a new world record in the female 55kg category.
“She erased her previous record of 122kg set at the 2013 Asian Open Championships in Malaysia by lifting a new record of 125kg in the same category.
“Our third gold was won by Ijeoma Ihurobiem,’’ the director said.
He noted that Anthony Ulonnam got the bronze for Nigeria in 59kg by lifting 183kg.
“We are so delighted with the brilliant performance of our athletes,’’ he said.
The director expressed confidence that Nigeria would win more medals before the end of the championships.
The championships which commenced on April 5 will end on April 11.