Tokyo 2020 Paralympics: Team Nigeria Returns With Eight Medals

By Akinwale Kasali

It was joy, praises and wild jubilation as the Nigerian contingent to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics touched down at the Muritala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria, with medals won by them dangling on their necks.

The Minister of Sport, Sunday Dare, could not hide his joy as he showered encomiums on the Paralympians for doing the nation proud.

Dare  commended Team Nigeria to the Paralympics Games in Tokyo for its outstanding performance while receiving the contingent, stating that the medals won by the athletes were an indication that the country still had abundant talents that are yet to be discovered.

Dare declared that the Sports Ministry would continue to ensure special athletes get the required support to excel in their various sports, just as he called on private sectors to invest more in sports development in Nigeria.

He said that private sector investment in sports would go a long way in discovering more stars from the grassroots.

“The Nigeria Paralympics team has put smiles on the faces of Nigerians by winning medals at Tokyo Olympics. The Sports ministry is delighted with their performance. We thank the athletes who won medals, and also those who could not pick a medal for their zeal in putting Nigeria at the World map. More programmes will be put in place by the ministry to encourage the special athletes. I will like to also inform Nigerians that there will be an open trial for 10 sports for athletes without disabilities in two weeks time.

“Athletes across the federation who are talented in any of the sport are free to come and show case their skills at the event, which date and venue will be announced soon. This is another drive by the sports ministry to continue developing sports in Nigeria,” he said.

Team Nigeria won eight medals at the games slated to end this Sunday 5th, September, 2021, following the bronze won by Eucharia Njideka Iyiazi in the Women’s Shot Put F57 on Thursday.

Iyiazi won the bronze with a 10.40m throw after disappointingly finishing in the eighth position in Women’s Discuss throw event last Saturday.

The 47-year-old is competing at her fourth Paralympic Games having previously represented Nigeria in Beijing in 2008. London 2012 and Rio 2016.

While competing in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China, Iyiazi, won a gold medal in both the women’s shot put F57/F58 event and the women’s discus throw F57/F58 event.

Iyiazi however took the bronze medals in the 2012 Summer Paralympics and the 2016 Summer Paralympics.

Thursday’s medal in Tokyo for Iyiazi is coming barely 24 hours after the Table Tennis men’s team (Tajudeen Agunbiade and Olufemi Alabi) also won bronze in their event.

With three gold, one silver and three bronze medals, Nigeria has dropped to the 3rd spot in Africa and 32nd overall on the medals table.

Tunisia is the continent’s highest-ranked country in 26th position while Algeria is in the 29th position.

Interestingly, the top four African countries have all won three gold medals but with different silver and bronze medal winnings.

The remaining event for Nigeria in Tokyo is F54 Shot Put and Javelin where Lauritta Onye will be competing on Saturday.

Full list of medalists for Team Nigeria so far

Gold: Bose Omolayo, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, Latifat Tijani (Powerlifting)

Silver: Loveline Obiji (Powerlifting)

Bronze: Lucy Ejike (Powerlifting); Ibrahim Olaitan (Powerlifting); Table Tennis men’s team (Tajudeen Agunbiade and Olufemi Alabi); Njideaka Iyiazi (women F57 Shot Put).