No fewer than 12 athletes at the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Open National Trials in Abuja have beaten the world record in their respective categories.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Para-Powerlifting Open National Trials began on Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B.
The open national trials organised by the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation feature no fewer than 60 athletes from across the country.
The event began with a successful random screening conducted by the Nigeria Anti-Doping Committee (NAC) to ensure that the athletes played clean.
Folashade Oluwafemiayo of Delta, with a best lift of 160kg, won the +86kg female category on Day 1 to set a new world record after smashing the best standard record of 130kg.
Tolulope Ogundolie of Edo with a best lift of 110kg emerged winner of the 45kg female category, as she beat the best standard record of 95kg.
Also, Ekiti Christiana Adetolu’s best lift of 100kg, which saw her finish second in the 45kg female category, was good enough to surpass the best standard record.
Rukayat Ajiboye of Delta, with a best lift 122kg on Day 2, won the 50kg women category to beat the best standard record of 91 kg.
Ifeoluwa Alake of Lagos State emerged winner in the 61kg female category after posting a best lift of 126kg to smash the best standard world record of 91kg.
Similarly, Oyo State’s Toyosi Osewa’s best lift of 115kg, which saw her settle for the second position in the 45kg female category, was good enough to surpass the world best standard.
Mark Onyinyechi of Abia emerged winner of the 67kg female category after posting a best lift of 145kg to beat the best standard record of 126kg.
Chiamaka Ani and Lucy Ejike, both of Enugu State, finished first and second, respectively, in the 73kg female category after securing a best lift of 132kg and 130kg to beat the world record lift of 126kg.
Rita Ferdinand of Oyo State posted an impressive best lift of 151kg to emerge the winner of the 79kg female category and beat the best standard record of 125kg.
Thomas Kure of Delta, with a best lift of 207kg, won the 80kg male category and smashed the best standard record of 174kg.
On Day 2, Anifat Ganiyu of Osun, with a best lift of 97kg, emerged winner of the 41kg female category to beat the best standard record of 78k
Also, Mufutau Rasaq of Osun emerged as the winner of the 65kg male category after he secured a best lift of 190kg to beat the best standard record of 167kg.
Day 3 results saw Esther Oyema of Edo securing a best lift of 127kg in the 55kg female category to clinch the top spot and beat the standard record of 112kg.
NAN reports that there were also some good podium finish performances recorded in other categories at the open national trials, which, however, did not surpass the best standard record.
Results on Day 1 saw Blessing Ibe of Rivers State with a best lift of 125kg emerge as the winner of the 86kg female category.
Daniel Omogbai of Edo, with a best lift of 190kg, clinched top spot in the 107kg male category.
Yakubu Adesokan of Oyo was the winner of the 49kg male category after securing a best lift of 152kg.
Roland Ezuruike of Delta and Blessing Kayode of Edo were tied in 1st position in the 54kg male category after they both posted a best lift of 165kg and 177kg, respectively.
Also, Taiwo Akingbade of Oyo State posted an impressive best lift of 155kg to emerge the winner of the 72kg male category.
Idris Rilwanu of Rivers with a best lift of 200kg clinched the top spot in 88kg male category.
Taiwo Tolulope of Edo emerged winner of the 97kg male category after he recorded a best lift of 160 kg.
Ruel Ishaku, the Technical Director of the Federation, told NAN that with more camping and training for the athletes in shape, they will produce even better results.
“These camps and trainings are very important for our athletes as it constantly keep them in shape ahead of national and international competitions.
“We need more camping to make them continue to train because the more they train, the more chances of producing better results that will surpass the world’s best standard records.
“For instance, we have just concluded this competition now, but if the athletes go and relax, it will hurt their next performance.
So, they need to be called to camp regularly to help them to keep improving on their performances,” he said.
Ishaku said that even those athletes who couldn’t beat the best standard, their records at the trials were still good enough for a podium finish at any international competition.(NAN)
