9th September, 2016
Samuel Ekeoma, Technical Director of the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation (NPPF), on Friday commended Ezurike Rolland and Latifa Tijani for winning a gold and silver medals at the ongoing Paralympics in Rio.
Tijani registered the country in the medals’ log after winning silver in the women’s category with a lift of 105kg.
Ezurike also lifted 200kg to clinch gold in the men’s category.
Ekeoma said that he was impressed with the performance of the athlete who was participating at the Games for the first time.
“I’m happy we already have a medal in powerlifting, Latifa gave a good account of herself and we are proud of her,” he said.
The official added that the country should expect more medals from the athletes, saying that they were equal to the task.
Also, Kemi Oyebola, the Head Coach of Ogun State Para-Powerlifting Association said that the feat was a remarkable one for the athlete.
“I coached her in Ogun State and was also with her at the national camp held in Abuja before team Nigeria departed for Rio.
“Rolland has also done well by winning gold for the country and I now the sky is the limit for our representative in the Powerlifting event,” she said.
Twenty-three athletes from the country are participating in the Games.