Rio Paralympics: Nigeria’s Josephine Orji Sets New World Record

Nigeria continued her impressive performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games as Josephine Orji won the countries 8th gold medal in the powerlifting event.

Orji broke the World Record with a lift of 160 kg to win gold in the Women’s -84kg Power-lifting event in Brazil.

That weight was the highest entered by any competitor in the event, as the Nigerian power-lifter established a wide gap to her closest challengers.

Poland’s Marzena Zieba, lifted 134kg to win the silver medal while Netherlands’ Melaica Tuinfort won the Bronze medal with a mark of 130kg.

Nigeria now has 11 medals – 8 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal – and is 10th on the overall medals table, and number one in Africa.

Earlier on Tuesday, another Nigerian, Flora Ugwunwa, set a new world record in the women’s javelin – F54 event, recording a throw of 20.25 metres to win the gold medal.