Para powerlifting star, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, once again showcased her dominance as she stormed to a commanding gold medal in the women’s heavyweight category at the 6th Solidarity Games in Riyadh.
Widely regarded as one of the most formidable athletes in global para powerlifting, Oluwafemiayo lived up to her reputation with a composed yet powerful display that saw her rise above the competition.
Her performance not only secured the top spot but also reinforced Nigeria’s position as a force in the sport.
Uzbekistan’s Kudratoy Toshpulatova settled for silver, while Jordan’s Asma Issa earned the bronze medal.
Her triumph capped another strong showing for Team Nigeria, whose athletes continued to deliver remarkable performances across events at the Games.
The mixed 4x400m relay team also ended their campaign on a high, capturing gold ahead of Bahrain and Turkey.
The quartet of Gafari Badmus, Anita Enaruna, Ezekiel Asuquo and Patience George produced a season’s best of 3:16:27 to seal the victory.
Nigeria added yet another gold in wrestling, with Esther Kolawole defeating Azerbaijan’s Ruzanna Mammadova in the women’s 62kg freestyle final.
However, her teammate Damola Ojo claimed silver after falling to Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Kyzy in the 76kg freestyle bout.
With these results, Team Nigeria’s medal haul now stands at 29—comprising 10 gold, 12 silver and seven bronze.
Speaking on the team’s impressive run, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the results reflect a new approach that is clearly yielding dividends.
“Having sat down with our team at the Commission and the Elite and Podium Board that is being chaired by Yusuf Ali, we decided that only podium prospects should be brought to Riyadh for these games, and that decision has paid out,” the DG stated.
“From boxing, to taekwondo, to weightlifting, wrestling and track and field, we have won medals in all the sports, and this will be the approach of the NSC to other major international competitions like the Commonwealth Games and ultimately the Olympics.”
