The Rio 2016 Paralympics has started on Wednesday with 889 athletes from 159 countries. Nigeria sent a 35-member contingent with 23 athletes.
Nigeria has been very successful at the Paralympics. The country made its Paralympic Games début in 1992 in Barcelona.
In the 1992 games, six delegates were sent. to compete in to compete in track & field, powerlifting and table tennis. Adeoye Ajibola won two gold medals in sprint, while Monday Emoghawve obtained one in powerlifting.
Nigeria has participated in every subsequent edition of the Summer Paralympics since then with a total of 22 gold medals, 11 silver, and 12 bronze medals to show for it.
Here is a list of the 23 athletes representing the country in this years Paralympics.
Athletics
1. Eucharia Njideka Iyiazi will be competing in category F57/58 shot putt and discus throw events. The 42-year-old competed in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China.
2. ONYE Lauritta competing in the women’s Discus Throw – F40/41 and women’s Shot Put – F40. The 32-year-old is also an actress in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood.
3. Friday Aibangbe is competing in the men’s discuss throw F11
4. Lovina Onyegbule
5. Flora Ugwunwa
6. Friday Aibangbe
Powerlifting
7. OMOLAYO Bose, Powerlifting Women’s -79 kg
8. TAIWO Tolu-Lope powerlifting, 80 kg
9. Nsini Ben
10. Lucy Ejike
11. Ndidi Nwosu
12. Josephine Orji
13. Esther Onyema
14. Latifat Tijani
15. Yakubu Adesokan
16. Roland Ezuruike
17. Abdulazeez Ibrahim
18. Nnamdi Innocent
19. Opeyemi Jegede
20. Paul Kehinde
Table Tennis
21. Ahmed Koleosho
22. Faith Obiorah
23. Emmanuel Nick
