Abuja: 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 fewer than 60 athletes nationwide.
The event began with a successful random screening conducted by the Nigeria Anti-Doping Committee (NAC) to ensure the athletes played clean.
Folashade Oluwafemiayo of Delta, with the 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, beating 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 the best lift of 122kg on Day 2, won the 50kg women’s category, beating the best standard record of 91 kg.
Ifeoluwa Alake of Lagos State emerged as the 61kg female category winner after posting a best lift of 126kg, smashing 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’s best standard.
Mark Onyinyechi of Abia emerged as the 67kg female category winner after posting a best lift of 145kg, beating the best standard record of 126kg.
Chiamaka Ani and Lucy Ejike, both of Enugu State, finished first and second in the 73kg female category after securing best lifts of 132kg and 130kg, beating the world record lift of 126kg.
Rita Ferdinand of Oyo State posted an impressive best lift of 151kg to emerge the 79kg female category winner and beat the best standard record of 125kg.
With a best lift of 207kg, Thomas Kure of Delta won the 80kg male category and smashed the best standard record of 174kg.
On Day 2, Anifat Ganiyu of Osun, with the best lift of 97kg, emerged as the winner of the 41kg female category to beat the best standard record of 78k
Also, Mufutau Rasaq of Osun emerged as the 65kg male category winner 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 some good podium finish performances were also recorded in other categories at the open national trials, but these did not surpass the best standard record.
Results on Day 1 saw Blessing Ibe of Rivers State, with the best lift of 125kg, emerge as the female category winner in the 86 kg category.
Daniel Omogbai of Edo, with the best lift of 190kg, clinched the top spot in the 107kg male category.
Yakubu Adesokan of Oyo won the 49kg male category after securing a best lift of 152kg.
Roland Ezuruike of Delta and Blessing Kayode of Edo tied for first place in the 54kg male category after they both posted best lifts of 165kg and 177kg, respectively.
Taiwo Akingbade of Oyo State also posted an impressive best lift of 155kg to emerge as the 72kg male category winner.
Idris Rilwanu of Rivers, with a best lift of 200kg, clinched the top spot in the 88kg male category.
Taiwo Tolulope of Edo emerged as the 97kg male category winner after he recorded a best lift of 160 kg.
Ruel Ishaku, the Federation’s Technical Director, told NAN that they would produce even better results with more camping and training for the athletes who were in shape.
“These camps and trainings are significant for our athletes as they 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 trial records were still good enough for a podium finish at any international competition.
