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Hello readers, it’s been a while. Apologies for the break! Let me assure you that this blog is back and here to stay. We’ll be kicking off where we stopped with the ‘No Excuse’ series of the Weekend Bite.
This episode features the story of the Nigerian Paralympics champions who did their country proud at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.
Cast your minds back to the London Olympics 2012 where a lot of us were disappointed at the performance of Team Nigeria. So many hearts sank as we watched the athletes loose at each event we had seemingly managed to qualify for, and eventually return home empty handed. Little did we know the key to the redemption of Nigeria's image lay in the hands of a few disabled people.
At the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, Team Nigeria defied all odds and WON BIG! Yes, Nigeria came out third best in Africa after Tunisia and South Africa and 22nd in the world. Thanks to Esther Oyema, Yakubu Adesokan, Joy Onaolapo and Folashade Oluwafunmilayo, the most celebrated power-lifters, four world records were set in favour of Nigeria. Team Nigeria successfully bagged 13 medals- six gold, five silver and two bronze medals.
In fact, Yakubu Adesokan was a first timer at the Paralympics (the first on the team to win); yet he successfully took home a gold medal and set a new world record for lifting 180kg, which is about four times his body weight. He had set the old record of 177kg earlier last year in Dubai. He had also won gold at the last commonwealth games in New Delhi two years back; but for him this was even more fulfilling. He attributed his success to motivation and good preparation; giving thanks to God.
Esther Oyema also set a new world record, in the 48kg Power-lifting category by lifting 135kg. This gold medalist, who had contacted polio as a child, was elated to be counted as an international champion. She remains hopeful for more records to come.
Joy Onolapo, also successfully won gold at the Paralympics after breaking the Paralympics Record in the 52kg category with a lift of 128kg and similarly breaking the world record with a lift of 131kg. Like Esther Oyema, she also contacted polio when she was a child. The final gold came from Grace Anozie.
How did these ones do it? How did those with seeming disabilities attain a feat that those with 'full-ability' can only dream of?
Onolapo maintains that they succeeded because they took things seriously and also by determination, discipline and focus, despite many challenges. For Ivory Nwokorie, a gold medalist in the women's +44kg Power-lifting category, she had to go through a very tough training before she could attain this feat. They were faced with such challenges as substandard training facilities, transportation difficulties, ostracism by people etc. For Gloria Anozie, the 35-year old gold medalist in women's +82kg Power-lifting category, there was a common challenge of being looked down on by people who regarded them as beggars when seen on the road or trying to make it to training. She turned to sports due to the problem of unemployment after graduating from the department of Accounting in Enugu State University of Science and Technology. Now she has no regrets, having been to four Paralympic games and retaining the world record with gold medals.
For Folasade Oluwafunmilayo, a silver medalist in the women's- 75kg Power-lifting category who had contacted polio when she was only three years old, the challenges in addition to the absence of funds to go into sport, further pushed her to succeed despite lack of proper training. She was able to overcome and finish second place; though she lifted the same weight as the gold medalist. Folashade had insisted on taking a fourth unofficial lift and thereby set a new world record of 148kg and Paralympics record of 143kg.
Victoria Nneji, bronze medalist in the women's- 67.5kg Power-lifting category was able to surmount the common challenges in addition to two shoulder injuries. She had not felt that much pain before but she was determined to win something. In her words "It’s a Nigerian mentality that people view the physically-challenged as a problem to the society. We've proved however that we can do what some able-bodied athletes cannot do." The bronze medalist suffered from Poliomyelitis as a child, but consistently refused to accept sympathy from people, to be seen as a problem or even beg for survival on the streets like some others. She firmly believes that she can do whatever any other able person can do as 'Disability is only in the mind.'
Several times, they had to struggle to transport themselves to and fro training locations. Their condition prevented them from entering regular buses and so their only option was to enter taxis which was expensive. Where such money was unavailable, they could be stuck there for hours, despite harsh weather conditions. However, they were able to surmount these challenges and gain international and national recognition and relevance.
Out of 10 African Countries, Nigeria won a total of 13 medals, finishing 22nd on the medals table and 3rd in Africa. Nigeria was deemed to be a leader in the Power-lifting category and enjoyed cheers from the crowd and international cross-section of viewers.
Thankfully, our President, His Excellency Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, conferred the befitting honour of MON (Member of the Order of Nigeria) on six of the gold medalists, cash rewards of Five Million Naira for each gold medalist, Three Million Naira for each silver medalist and Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira for each bronze medalist. Other members of the team who did not win any medal, also received Five Hundred Thousand Naira each. The President clearly stated that 'the athletes gave hope to Nigerians and all physically challenged youths.' He also commended their exceptional courage at showing us all that 'being physically challenged is no barrier'.
The athletes all complained of lack of proper welfare and standard training facilities. It is hoped that the relevant authorities will look into this in preparation for next year’s Commonwealth games, the Summer Paralympics in 2016 and other sporting events; and also to ensure that the athletes are well taken care of.
Unfortunately, Joy Onolapo, a mother of two and one of the gold medalists was confirmed dead in August this year by the Nigeria Power Lifting Federation (NPLF). Her Power lifting coach, Ijeoma Iheriobim described late Onaolapo as 'a committed and diligent athlete with a dedication worthy of emulation.' According to her, her death is 'a great loss to the power lifting team'. Thankfully, she pursued her dreams while she was alive and was successful in doing so.
The Nigerian Paralympics champions had no excuse not to pursue their dreams despite all odds, neither do you!
Just do it!
Cheers!...
© November,2013 By Lola Agbaje-Williams.
Sources:
Nairaland Forum- September 16, 2012
Business day– Sunday 16, 2012,
The Punch Newspaper- Sept 22, 2012,
Premium Times- August 3, 2013;
General News on the web about the Paralympics.
