Latifat Tijani has won Team Nigeria’s first medal at the ongoing 2016 Paralympic Games, clinching Silver in the women’s -45kg Powerlifting event.
In fact the Nigerian athlete could have clinched GOLD if not for the outstanding China’s Dandan Hu who set a World and Paralympics Record (PR) of 107kg to best other competitors.
Twice Tijani set Paralympics record in this event, and on every occasion, Hu had a better response to erase the record of her Nigerian counterpart.
Tijani started by lifting 101kg which was a PR as the time she did it, but it was short-lived as Hu lifted 102kg The Nigerian tried 104kg in her 2nd attempt but failed it, with Hu going on to consolidate her lead with 105kg.
Great Britain’s Zoe Newson came into the mix and even led at some point at 102kg, with Tijani moving down to 3rd, however the Nigerian bounced back and lifted 106kg which was a PR then, but Hu had other ideas as she lifted 107kg, a new WR & PR to relegate Tijani to Silver.
Nigeria has always been dominant in Powerlifting which has seen them win many medals at Paralympic Games. Maybe this latest feat could be the tonic to open the way for more medals for Team Nigeria in Rio.
