Esther Nworgu wins Nigeria’s second medal at Paris Paralympics

Esther Nworgu has won Nigeria’s second medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. 

The 21-year-old won a silver medal in the women’s up to 41kg para-powerlifting event at the La Chapelle Arena on Wednesday.

She was narrowly beaten by China’s Zhe Cui, who lifted 119kg to set a new Paralympic Games record and take the gold.

Nworgu had set two new Paralympic Games records in her last two attempts, lifting 112kg and 118kg, respectively, but the Chinese powerlifter surpassed her feat at every turn.

Nworgu’s victory earned Team Nigeria’s second medal at the Paralympics after Eniola Bolaji won the country’s first laurel on Monday.

The 18-year-old won a bronze medal in the women’s singles SL3 badminton event.

In para-table tennis, Isau Ogunkunle has qualified for the semifinals of men’s Singles Class 4.

The 38-year-old defeated Maxime Thomas from a set down to win 3-1 in the quarter-final.

Ogunkunle had previously upset Turkey’s Abdullah Ozturk 3-1 in the second round.

He previously won bronze for Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Ogunkunle is now closer to another and will be competing in the semi-final on September 7.