Senator John Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, has extended his congratulations to Esther Nworgu for winning a silver medal in the women’s 41kg para-powerlifting category at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris.
Nworgu delivered an impressive performance, lifting 118 kg in her final attempt. This effort was just one kilogram short of the gold medal, which was claimed by China’s Zhe Cui with a lift of 119 kg. Nworgu’s earlier attempts of 106 kg and 112 kg had already established her as a formidable competitor, but her record-breaking lift of 118 kg secured her the silver medal.
Senator Enoh praised Nworgu’s achievement, noting that she also set two new Paralympic records with her lifts of 112 kg and 118 kg. “Congratulations, Esther Ogechi Nworgu, on securing Nigeria’s second medal at the Paralympic Games,” Enoh posted on X (formerly Twitter). “You set Paralympic records with your last two attempts, lifting 112 kg and 118 kg, respectively. With 118 kg, you earned a silver medal, and the gold win was 119 kg. We are so proud of you, champ.”
Nworgu’s success follows Eniola Bolaji’s historic bronze medal win in Para badminton earlier in the week. Bolaji made history as the first African to win a medal in badminton, defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna 2-0 (21-9, 21-9) in the women’s singles SL3 event.
Minister Enoh, who has been present in Paris to support Team Nigeria, expressed his pride in the athletes’ accomplishments. He emphasized the significance of resilience and self-belief, encouraging the entire team to keep striving for podium finishes.
“The ministry will continue to support Team Nigeria in its quest for podium finishes,” Enoh stated. “I believe in your capacity. Having done all we should as a government, we are rooting for you. It is now over to you to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.”
With Nworgu’s silver medal, Nigeria’s medal count at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games looks promising, with more events still to come.
