Tokyo Paralympics: Nigeria end with 10 medals

Reigning javelin world record holder, Flora Ngwunwa, on Saturday won the last gold for Team Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics which end today after 12 days of struggle, misses and celebrations on the podium by athletes.

As of the time of this report, Nigeria occupy the 32nd position with four gold, one silver and five bronze medals and finish as third best on the continent behind Tunisia [27th] also with four gold, five silver and two bronze and Algeria [28th] with four gold, four silver and four bronze medals.

Ngwunwa, world record holder, successfully retained her F54 javelin throw title with a throw of 19.39m , her season’s best to win the gold like she did at Rio 2016.

The celebration which greeted her feat was massive by Nigerians at the venue as Ugwunwa was the last Nigerian athlete to compete at Tokyo 2020, moreso that, it came shortly after gold medal prospect and also world record holder, Lauritta Onye, had settled for the bronze in the F40 shot put with a throw of 8.29m.

ALSO READ:  Tokyo Paralympics: Agunbiade, Alabi seek final ticket in table tennis

Perhaps, 37-year-old Onye had to pull off her shoes as a result of the wet condition of the stadium before she threw 8.29m though her season’s best, but could only earn bronze medal this time.

Speaking with Sportingtribune at the Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, an elated Ugwunwa who could not hide her excitement however, rued her inability to set a new world record at the Games.

“Inasmuch as I am grateful to God for winning gold, my target at the Games was to break my record of 20.25 and set a new one but it did not work out as planned. But I still have something to be happy for and that is winning the gold medal. And I will attribute this to my health condition but I am still grateful to God for making this to happen. I will have to go back home and work on my skill,” Ugwunwa who also won the gold at Rio 2016 said.

However, In her reaction, a visibly disappointed Imo State-born Onye was shocked at the outcome of her event saying it was unbelievable.

“In fact, this was not me [referring to the result she recorded]. I am the record holder from Rio 2016 and now due to the slippery ground I picked up the bronze. I am not happy at all, I still believe I could have done better than this result, but it just happened. I am very sad at the moment. Anyway, I thank God and hope for a better outing next time,” Onye who won the gold at Rio 2016 Games with a throw of 8.4m which also stands as world record told Sportingtribune with a groan face.

ALSO READ:  Tokyo Paralympics: Agunbiade, Alabi seek final ticket in table tennis

Meanwhile, Team Nigeria’s Chief de Mission, Mr Peter Nelson, in a chat with Tribunesport at the venue of the event described the last two medals won by the country as a “wonderful way to end the Paralympics.”

Nelson added that: “This is just too wonderful, winning medals on the last event day of the Games such as the Paralympics. This wonderful moment will remain with us for a very long time and as we are returning home to begin preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK next year.”