Esther Onyeama: breaks world record

A National Para-powerlifter, Esther Onyeama has set another new world record at the ongoing 11th African Games holding in Brazzaville.

Onyeama, a Paralympion, in the 65kg weight class, lifted 133 kg to erase the former 126kg record that she set previously. She won a gold medal at the London Paralympic Games in 2012.

The National Para-Powerlifting Head coach, Feyisetan Are told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the performance was commendable.

According to him, the Nigerian lifters are among the world’s best in the sport.

Are, then, predicted that another of his lifter, Tony Ulonna would soon dethrone the reigning world champion in the 59kg category, saying the Egyptian, who is the world champion was already in the twilight of his career.

“I am excited at the performances of my wards at the competition; they have display a high level of discipline and commitment.The result is there for all to see, they keep setting new African and world records”.

Are expressed optimism at the ability of some of the emerging world champions. “Tony will soon catch up with the world champion in the 59kg because the Egyptian has reached his peak’’.

“Ulonna is young and still coming up in his career. This is the first time he has lifted 190kg. He still has bright prospects of becoming the world champion in no distant time.

“As for Rowland Ejike, we know he can do better than the 182kg that he lifted in the 54kg category but we did not want to stress him further, since he had already won a contest. When we get t the world championship he will definitely do better,” Are said.

Ejike lifted 182kg in the 54kg category to win a gold medal, while Ulonna, competing in the 59kg category, lifted 190kg to place second behind the world champion, Othman Sherif, who lifted 210.5kg to break his personal world record of 210kg.

Cameroon’s Tangana Frederic won bronze in the 59kg category with a lift of 160kg.

NAN reports that two Nigeria’s Para-powerlifters had set new world and African records so far at the Games.

Yakubu Adenekan on Tuesday lifted 182.5kg to set the new world in the 49kg, while Latifat Tijani lifted 98kg to set new Africa record in the 45kg.