International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 5 key moments Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation proud

Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation proud. Image Credit: Imago

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Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation proud.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 5 key moments Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation proud

Hassan Abdulsalam 07:51 - 04.12.2023

To celebrate this day, Pulse Sports looks at five key moments Nigerian para-athletes made Nigerians proud.

The United Nations set December 4th as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

According to the UN, the International Day of Disabled Persons aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development.

To celebrate this day, Pulse Sports looks at five key moments Nigerian para-athletes made the entire nation proud.

These five unforgettable moments show Nigerian para-athletes' unwavering determination, strength, and talents. Their achievements have brought joy to the country and also serve as a source of hope and encouragement to aspiring athletes and people with disability worldwide.

Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation proud.
Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation proud. Image Credit: Imago Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation proud.

The Five key moments Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation proud.

1. Esther Oyemabo's Gold Medal at Rio 2016

At the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Esther Oyemabo made history as the first Nigerian woman to win the gold medal.

She took home the gold medal in the Powerlifting category for women 75kg with a massive 130kg weightlifting effort to record an all-new Paralympic record. The victory brought national pride and acclaim, inspiring a new generation of athletes who want to be Para-athletes.

2. Ezeji Kennedy scored Nigeria's first goal at Amputees Football World Cup

Kennedy became the First Nigerian to score for the Nigerian Amputee football team in their first World Cup at the Mexico 2018 Amputees Football World Cup against Sierra Leone.

3. Ali Jaw Jaw's Double Gold Medal at Athens 2004

Nigerian Para-athletic legend Ali Jaw Jaw cemented his legacy while participating in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens.

Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation Proud. Image Credit: imago
Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation Proud. Image Credit: imago Nigerian Para-athletes made the nation Proud. Image Credit: imago

He took home double gold, winning the 50m and 100m men's freestyle S9 events. Jaw's determination and dominance earned him the status of a national hero and inspired generations of Nigerian para-athletes to dream big.

4. Grace Ihejirika's Silver Medal at Sydney, 2000

At the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Grace Ihejirika became the first Nigerian Para-athlete to win a medal.

She won a silver medal in the Shot put for the women's F11 category, throwing a distance of 8.05m.

Her remarkable achievement set the stage for many more Nigerian Para-athletes to succeed internationally.

Nigeria's Patience Igbiti receives a Paralympic Award as Shaibu rejoices
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21:20 - 24.05.2023

Nigeria's Patience Igbiti receives a Paralympic Award as Shaibu rejoices

The Paralympic Committee (IPC) presented Patience Igbiti with the 2023 International Women's Day Award alongside Vladyslava Kravchenko from Malta (Emerging Leadership), the Malawi National Paralympic Committee (National Paralympic Committee), and World Para Ice Hockey (International Federation) for their outstanding stands and causes.

5. Laetitia Taminimi's Silver Medal at Rio 2016

Laetitia Taminimi won silver medal for Nigeria's Paralympic record in Rio 2016. Taminimi competed in the shot put women's F57 class, throwing a stunning distance of 10.70m, and secured the second position at the top of the list.

This feat further strengthened Nigeria's position on the international stage in Para-athletics.

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