The World Para-Powerlifting Open African Championships is come and gone. The four-day tournament held at the Dr. Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo, Egypt from October 27-30, 2022.

Para-Powerlifting involves persons with varying physical disabilities competing in different classifications of the Sport. This is the only World Para Sport organising a Regional Championships in Africa.

This is the third edition which commenced with the 11th African Games held in Brazzaville, Congo in September 2015. Nigeria and Egypt dominated the event in the female and male categories respectively.

The first official World Para Powerlifting African Championships (strictly for only persons from the Continent) held in Algiers in August 2018. Nigeria finished tops with 11 Gold and 2 Silver medals.

This edition is both an African Championship and an Open hosting athletes outside the Continent, the biggest ever. This is historic and first of its kind with over 168 athletes comprising 106 males and 62 females, from 26 Countries competing for honours.

This competition features as a mandatory step on the qualification pathway for all Para powerlifters striving to qualify for the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games.

Covid-19 measures were being applied all through the competition.

Nigeria is represented by: Nine females in 41, 45, 50, 61, 67, 79, 86, and +86 kg, while two males competed in the 54 and 65kg in the championships.

Nigeria and Egypt are obviously the Continent's powerhouses in this Sport.

UPDATED: Nigeria finished second behind hosts, Egypt with 8 Gold & 3 Silver medals (excepting team event).

Nigeria's first Gold of the tournament came on the opening day through Roland Ezuruike, the defending Champion, in the men's ~54kg event.

The Obowo-born Ezuruike defeated Egypt's Taha Abdelmaji (Silver) and Cote D'Ivoire's Alidou Diamoutene (Bronze).

All three know one another well as Ezuruike defeated Alidou (2nd) & Taha (3rd) to take Gold at the Games in Brazzaville in 2015. He also won Gold ahead of the Egyptian, Taha in Algiers 2018.

Ezuruike gunning for his third consecutive African title was keen on setting a new Legends world record which stood at 157kg (African Record =148kg) . The legend category is basically for athletes who are 45 years and above (Ezuruike was born on May 05, 1976).

Taha pushed Ezuruike twice, clearing 161kg and 167kg with his last two attempts, but the Champion was in the mood, clearing 160kg/167kg/172kg (=499kg) to defend his title and set a new Legends World and African Record.

Ezuruike still holds the Paralympic Games Record set in the ~54kg event, clearing 200kg on his way to clinching Gold in Rio 2016.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn4pBvfCx9g

Open Gold & African Gold medals for Roland. (Best Lift & Total Score).

Achievements:
*Silver (72kg) - Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014

*Gold - African Games (Powerlifting), Brazzaville 2015

*Gold (~54kg) - Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

*Gold (~54kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Mexico 2017

*Gold (~54kg) - 9th Fazza World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Dubai 2018

*Gold (~54kg) - World Para Powerlifting African Championships, Algiers 2018

*Gold (Lightweight) - Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast 2018

*Gold (~54kg) - World Para Powerlifting Invitational Competition, Lagos 2019

*Silver (~54kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Nur-Sultan 2019

*Gold (~54kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Abuja 2020

Ezuruike was found to have made two filing failures and missed a doping test, and was subsequently banned from August 17, 2020 to February 16, 2022 for whereabout violation.

However, he is backkkkkk.

Never in doubt, in a class of her own:

From the first lift, Onyinyechi Gift Mark was in a contest against herself for Gold, clearing 127kg, 134kg and 143kg in the women's ~61kg event.

She did set aside the World & African Record of 142kg set by Compatriot, Lucy Ejike (who has now moved to ~61kg) in Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Mark burst into the scene as a 17-year-old defeating veteran Esther Onyema to take Gold at the National Sports Festival, Abuja 2018.

She holds the Next-Gen (age group of 18-20years old) World & African Record, 127kg, set in the ~55kg in Abuja 2020.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsVSkOzQ2l8

Gold Medals for Best Lift ✓
Gold medals for Total Score.

Achievements:
*Silver - World Para Powerlifting Invitational Competition, Lagos 2019

*Gold - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Abuja 2020

*Silver - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Manchester 2021

*Silver - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Tblisi 2021

Mark was regrettably, one of the two athletes disqualified at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham for arriving late.

Egypt's duo of Fatma Koramy (Silver) and Omaima Omar (Bronze) made podium finishes.

Just imagine

Nigeria followed up with another strong Gold in the women's ~45kg event, courtesy of a serial winner, Latifat Tijani.

Tijani defeated Algeria's Samira Guerioua (Silver) & Akissi Michelle Kuadio (Bronze).

Tijani & Guerioua know each other well with the latter losing against the former in over 3 Competitions.

The Paralympics Champion, Tijani, caused a stir when she had a first unsuccessful lift at 110kg. However, on her second trial, there was no margin for error as she cleared 110 in style.

The Ogun-State born professional hairdresser, went one ahead and set aside her own previous African Record of 112kg set in Abuja 2020, lifting 113kg in her third attempt.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CU8OtffAEw

Gold medals (Best Lift) ✓
Bronze medals (Total Score)
African Record

Achievements:
*Gold (~45kg) - African Games (Powerlifting), Brazzaville 2015

*Silver (~45kg) - Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

*Gold (~45kg) - World Para Powerlifting African Championships, Algiers 2018

*Bronze (~45kg) World Para Powerlifting Championships, Nur-Sultan 2019

*Gold (~45kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Abuja 2020

*Gold (~45kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Manchester 2021

*Gold (~45kg) - Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

Regretfully, she was one of two athletes disqualified at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games for arriving late.

Nigeria's got another medal came shortly after, through Bose Bejide in the women's ~50kg event.

Bejide clinched Silver after lifting 117kg, 120kg and 121kg (=358kg) in three attempts respectively.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMHokakMW40

Egypt's Ahmed Rehab (Gold - 122kg) and Cameroon's Suzanne Menye Meto (Bronze - 91kg) made podium finishes.

This will be her first Championship medals: Silver Medals (Best Lift) ✓
Gold medals (Total Score).

Kudos, BB.

She needs no introduction. Multiple Champion, multiple record holder. She currently has all the records and gold medals in her category.

And still the reigning and undisputeddddddddddd Champion!

Folashade Alice Oluwafemiayo wins another Gold for Nigeria, clearing 150kg in the women's ~86kg event.

She indisputably dispatched Egypt's duo of Randa Mahmoud (Silver - 125kg) and Rania Ali Morshedi (Bronze - 111kg).

She was banned for failing a drug test in February 2013 wherein her world record (at the time) and gold medal were stripped off her. She served a two-year suspension and bounced back in style.

Oluwafemiayo who hails from Ose LGA, holds the World & African Record (155kg) set at the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022. She had previously set aside her own World record three times.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiy_dLb7eCg

Gold medals for Best Lift ✓
Gold medals for Total Score

Achievements:
*Silver (75kg) - London 2012 Paralympic Games

*Gold (~86kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Mexico 2017

*Gold (~86kg) - World Para Powerlifting African Championships, Algiers 2018

*Gold (~86kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Nur-Sultan 2019

*Gold (~86kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Abuja 2020

*Gold (~86kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Manchester 2021

*Gold (~86kg) - Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

*Gold (~86kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Tblisi 2021

*Gold (~86kg) - Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022

Thomas Kure claimed Silver in the men's ~65kg event. World Champion, Algeria's Hocine Bettir (Gold) and Egypt's Hossam Elgafary (Bronze) made podium finishes.

Kure had unsuccessful first and third attempts but his second at 192kg was good enough to place him at the podium.

In 2016, Kure received a four-year suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance at an out-of-competition test.

But HE IS BACKKKKKKKK

Achievements:

*Gold - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Abuja 2020

*Gold (~59kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Manchester 2021


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLlzldoqp4A

His first Championship medal.

Veteran - Loveline Adaure Obiji took Nigeria's first Gold medal on Day 3 in the women's +86kg event.

The 32-year-old Imo State athlete and defending Champion, was pushed down all the way by Egypt's veteran, Nadia Ali. Obiji cleared 130kg, with Nadia opening up at 137kg.

She cleared 138kg at the second attempt, and was pegged back by Nadia at 142kg. The Nigerian now cleared 145kg with Nadia unsuccessful at 146kg, taking Silver.

Egypt's Amany Ali claimed Bronze with 139kg.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlo7Mlgd1oo

Gold Medals for Best Lift ✓
Gold medals for Total Score.

Achievements:
*Gold (82.5kg) - London 2012 Paralympic Games

*Gold (+61kg) - Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014

*Silver (~86kg) - IPC Powerlifting World Championships, Dubai 2014

*Gold (~86 & +86 kg) - African Games, Brazzaville 2015

*Silver (+86kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Mexico 2017

*Gold (+86kg) - World Para Powerlifting African Championships, Algiers 2018

*Silver (+86kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Nur-Sultan 2019

*Gold (+86kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Abuja 2020

*Silver (+86kg) - Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

*Silver (+86kg) - Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022

Kafila Almaruf showed composure in clinching Gold for Nigeria in the women's ~73kg event.

Egypt's Safaa Hassan (Silver) and Sahar El-Gnemi (Bronze) made podium finishes.

Almaruf cleared 135kg, 140kg and set a new African Record of 145kg past the 140kg set by Ndidi Nwosu at Rio 2016.

A clean sweep...
Gold medals for Best Lift ✓
Gold medals for Total Score


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiy_dLb7eCg

Achievements:
*Silver - World Para Powerlifting Invitational Championships, Lagos 2019

*Bronze (~73kg) - World Para Powerlifting Open Championships, Tblisi 2021

Simply an amazing career from a legend;

Nigeria's Lucy Ogechukwu Ejike gets a medal in the women's ~67kg event after clearing 110, 115, 122kg in her three attempts.

The 45-year-old takes Silver behind perennial rival, Egypt's Fatma Omar (Gold). Abdelaziz Gihan from the host Country claimed Bronze.

Ejike lost Gold to Omar at the Sydney 2000 & London 2012 Paralympics, beating the Egyptian at Rio 2016 and the World Championships in 2021.

The Enugu-born athlete broke the world record twice in Athens 2004, twice in Beijing 2008 and thrice in Rio 2016 (all now set aside). She also won Gold in the All-African Games held in Abuja, COJA 2003.

She still holds the Paralympics Record in the ~61kg event, set in Rio.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJyLO7OX19M

Silver medals for Best Lift ✓
Silver medals for Total Score.

Achievements:
*Silver (+44kg) - Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games

*Gold (44kg) - Athens 2004 Paralympic Games

*Gold (48kg) - Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games

*Silver (56kg) - London 2012 Paralympic Games

*Gold (~61kg) - Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

*Gold (~61kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Mexico 2017

*Gold (~61kg) - World Para Powerlifting African Championships 2018

*Silver (lightweight) - Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast 2018

*Gold (~61kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Nur-Sultan 2019

*Gold (~61kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Manchester 2021

*Bronze (~61kg) - Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

*Gold (~67kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Tblisi 2021

Esther Ogechika Nworgu got Nigeria running on Day 2 with her first Gold medal at the African Championships.

The Ukwa-West native, clinched Gold in style in the women's ~41kg event. Kenya's Hellen Wawira Kariuki (93kg) and Egypt's Enas Elgebaly Abdelaal Aggag (83kg) completed the podium for the African medals.

Nworgu lifted 107kg on her first attempt to set aside her own Next-Gen World & Junior African Record of 101kg set in Abuja 2020. This also set aside the African Senior Record (104kg) set by compatriot, Jonah Ben Nsini at the 11th Fazza Dubai 2021 Para Powerlifting World Cup.

She lifted 112kg on her second attempt to set aside the 111kg World Record set by her nemesis, China's Guo Lingling at the Asian Oceania Open Championships held at Pyeongtaek in June 2022.

Not satisfied, 19-year-old Nworgu lifted 114kg on her third attempt to yet set aside her previous 112kg.

The Next-Gen category is for athletes between the ages of 18-20 (Nworgu was born on Dec 01, 2002).

Splendid! (Simply broke every breakable).

Gold medals for Best Lift ✓
Gold medals for Total Score
Next-Gen World Record in the ~41kg
World/African Senior/Elite Record in the ~41kg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LOathUs-rk

Nworgu, a former typist, broke through the scene at the National Sports Festival - Abuja 2018, clinching Silver in the process.

Achievements:
*Gold (~41kg) - World Para Powerlifting Invitational Competition, Lagos 2019

*Gold (~41kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Abuja 2020

*Bronze (~41kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Championships, Tblisi 2021

Another Gold for Nigeria, this time in the Women's team event..quite a new addition in the African Championships.

And it was a star-studded house:

Kafilat Almaruf, Bose Omolayo and Folashade Oluwafemiayo.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byi9siz8_4I

Nigeria claimed Gold with a predictable performance; aggregate score of 349.92 points. First beating Uzbekistan in the Heat Phase before sending Algeria to the cleaners.

Algeria (Silver) and Egypt (Bronze) made podium finishes.

A Comfortable Gold for Nigeria from an assured veteran. Bose Patricia Omolayo clinched Gold for Nigeria in the women's ~79kg event to round off Day 3.

She cleared 135kg in the first attempt and in the second one attempted to beat her 144kg World Record set in Tblisi 2021.

Alas! She did clear it at 145kg, setting a new World Record in the event. This is the fourth time Omolayo will break her own World Record.

Egypt's Mahmoud Amal (Silver) and Algeria's Mohammed Merer Nacera (Bronze) made podium finishes.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMUu4RknZ1Q

Gold medals for Best Lift ✓
Bronze medals for Total Score.

Achievements:
*Silver (+61kg) - Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014

*Gold - Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

*Silver (~79kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Mexico 2017

*Gold (~79kg) - World Para Powerlifting African Championships, Algiers 2018

*Gold (~79kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Nur-Sultan 2019

*Gold (~79kg) - Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

*Gold (~79kg) - World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Manchester 2021

*Gold (~79kg) - World Para Powerlifting Championships, Tblisi 2021

*Silver (Heavyweight) - Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022

...

Nigeria is a great country. Na Bad leaders spoil am.

I'm hopeful God will librate Nigeria in 2023.

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What's this again, why post con long pass Nigeria problem like this

These guys are doing well

Congratulations

Nigeria and Egypt are obviously the Continent's powerhouses in this Sport.

good one from my guys

May God richly bless the people who approved the Paralympics and its related games. Only God knows what who have become of the Nigerian contingent if the sporting event didn't exist.

Yesterday, I saw one little boy with an amputated leg struggling to get on a commercial bus with others somewhere in Lagos. I couldn't even look at the scene twice.

Some of d names of people wey represent us names dey fear me, hope dem pass doping test.. Dot Nation people Nd drugs hmmmnn

with all this achievements this same people go still dey cry make federal government recognize and give them their right... if you like win heaven for Apc Dem no send you at all.