Disabled athletes Grace Anozie captures sixth gold for Nigeria

[Emmy Baba]

Grace Anozie won Nigeria's sixth gold medal earlier today in the women's -82.50k event at the Excel Arena in London.

Her victory ensured that Nigeria maintained its top spot on the power  lifting table with six gold, five silver and a bronze medal.

Anozie won a bronze medal in Athens in 2004, silver at the Beijing Olympics and was ecstatic about winning gold in London as she overcame Egypt's Heba Ahmed (140kg) and Perla Barcenas from Mexico (135kg) with a superior lift of 162kg in her second attempt. Her first and third attempts were adjudged 'no lift' by the referees."

Speaking to reporters after her victory, she said, "I feel so great. I feel on top of the world, I am so happy and I give thanks to God, my family and the team. I thank God I have gold. I've been fighting for gold for years. In Athens I got a bronze, in Beijing 2008 I got a silver and now I've got gold. In Beijing I was robbed; I felt so bitter so I vowed that I will get gold today."

The 35-year old also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to give the athletes a befitting welcome after the games.

"In any disability there is ability. I know the Nigerian government will focus on our success and support us. I'm expecting the President of Nigeria to welcome us all the way from the airport. The whole team has been through stress and hell. They asked us to deliver and we have," she said.

Team captain, Obioma Aligekwe was unable to make it to the podium in the men's -100kg event where he finished fifth. Sixteen lifters represented the country at the games with 12 of them winning medals.

Egypt finished second on the table with four gold, three silver and four bronze medals while China placed third with three gold, six silver and six bronze medals.


National Mirror

[Nifemi Donald]

It is funny how this set of Nigerians could bring Glory to Nigeria while the able bodied ones went to disgrace us

[emezico]

The feat achieved by the Nigerian disabled athletes, (6 gold, 5 silver and a bronze medal), so far, in the 2012 London paralympics, goes to prove that, "In any disability there is ability". Kudos to the Nigerian disabled athletes!

[Nifemi Donald]

6th gold.wow! One two three four five and six.when our complete bodied representatives could not even give us one