Rio 2016 Paralympics: Nigeria wins first medal

POWERLIFTER, Latifat Tijani, has won the first medal for Team Nigeria at the ongoing Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Tijani lifted 106kg to grab a silver medal in the -45kg women’s powerlifting event at the Riocentro, Pavilion 2.

The Nigerian amazon, who lifted 98kg to set new Africa record at 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, in her first attempt lifted 101kg and failed in her attempt to lift 104kg, while she came back stronger to lift 106kg in her final attempt to take the lead which was later short-lived, as she lost the gold medal to China’s Hu Dandan China who lifted 107kg in her final attempt.

The Chinese lifter, Dandan, went ahead to set the World and Paralympics record in the event when she lifted 108kg.
Tijani, with her feat in Rio has erased the African record in the -45kg women’s powerlifting she set in Congo Brazzaville from 98kg to 106kg.

Great Britain’s Newson Zoe settled for the bronze medal as she lifted 102kg in the event.

Meanwhile, Dame Sarah Store,y has become Great Britain’s most successful female Paralympian by winning her 12th gold medal in Rio.
The 38-year-old Para-cyclist caught compatriot Crystal Lane, who took silver, after only 1,375 metres of the C5 3,000m individual pursuit final.
Steve Bate – with pilot Adam Duggleby – and Megan Giglia won cycling golds, while swimmers Ollie Hynd and Bethany Firth also clinched gold medals.