Onyinyechi Mark has broken a new record by winning Nigeria’s first gold medal at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris.
She smashed her World Record with a breathtaking weight lift of 147kg to win the gold on Friday.
The 23-year-old broke both Paralympic and World records, securing Nigeria’s first gold medal.
Onyinyechi broke the world record twice back-to-back in her debut at La Chapelle Arena on September 6.
Her final regular lift was 147kg, breaking the world record, before a 150kg Power Lift just moments later which broke the world record again, securing her gold medal.
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She overcame the challenge from China’s Cui Jianjin, who won silver after lifting 140 kilograms.
Mexico’s Amelia Perez won bronze, falling 10 kilogrammes behind her Chinese rival after pulsating lift attempts.
Onyinyechi has made history as one of Nigeria’s greatest Powerlifters.
She was born in Umuahia, Abia State on 5 July 2001
In 2021, Mark won the silver medal in her event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Tbilisi, Georgia, finishing behind Amalia Pérez.
She made her debut at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the women’s lightweight event, where Mark and compatriot Latifat Tijani were disqualified.
In 2023, Mark won the gold medal in her event at the 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Making her Paralympic debut at the 2024 Summer Paralympics held in Paris, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, lauded Onyinyechi saying: “This performance is nothing short of phenomenal. Today, you hoisted the flag of our great nation at the ongoing Paralympics, having won Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medal at the Games.
“Not only did you lift 147 kg to break the Paralympics record and win a gold medal, you took a challenge given to you and lifted 150 kg to set a new world record.”
