- Folashade Oluwafemiayo lifts 166kg at Paris 2024, breaking her world record
- She initially won silver in London 2012 and then went for gold in Tokyo 2020
- The 2024 Paralympics general captain overcame a two-year doping ban and pregnancy to make a stunning comeback
Folashade Oluwafemiayo is a powerhouse in the world of para-powerlifting. Her name has now been etched in the annals of history as the first para-athlete to lift 166kg in the women’s over 86kg category.
From overcoming personal and professional setbacks to consistently shattering records, Oluwafemiayo's journey is one to be carved in stone for generations to learn from.
Interesting facts about Paralympian Folashade Oluwafemiayo
TheRadar has compiled seven remarkable facts about the Nigerian star you probably didn’t know.
1. An extraordinary record-breaker
Oluwafemiayo etched her name in the history books once again at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games by breaking her world record with an astounding 166kg lift. The Nigerian powerhouse had previously set the record at 165kg during the 2024 World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Tbilisi.
2. Paralympic glory from London to Tokyo
Folashade made her Paralympic debut in London 2012, where she won a silver medal. After missing the Rio 2016 games, she returned victorious, clinching the gold in Tokyo 2020. Now in Paris, she has defended her title and pushed the boundaries even higher.
3. An incredible comeback after setbacks
In 2013, Oluwafemiayo faced a major hurdle when she was banned for two years due to a doping violation. As if that wasn't enough, she also missed the Rio 2016 Paralympics due to pregnancy. However, these setbacks only fueled her determination. Upon her return in 2021, she won gold in Tokyo and set her sights even higher.
4. Nigeria’s powerlifting champion
Nigeria has long dominated the para-powerlifting scene, particularly on the women's side, and Oluwafemiayo is at the forefront of this dominance. Nigeria topped the powerlifting tables at two of the last three Paralympic Games, with athletes like Oluwafemiayo consistently raising the bar and pushing the record even higher.
5. General captain for Paris 2024
Folashade arrived in Paris not only as a competitor but as Nigeria's general captain for the 2024 Games. Leading by example, she has shown what it takes to be a leader by clinching the absolute favourite medal coveted by any athlete.
6. Defending her title with pride
Despite stiff competition from athletes like Zheng Feifei and Nataliia Oliinyk, Oluwafemiayo remains undaunted. She has repeatedly said that defending her women’s over 86kg title is not just about personal glory, but about representing her nation with pride. “I want to make Africa proud, Nigeria proud, myself, family and my federation,” she told BBC Sport Africa.
7. Greatness despite limits
Having contracted polio at the age of three, Oluwafemiayo uses a wheelchair. Her story of overcoming physical challenges to achieve greatness resonates far beyond sports. She has shown that anything is possible with hard work and resilience. “What an able body can do, I can do too,” she proudly declared.
As she continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in para-powerlifting, her legacy, marked by gold medals and broken records, will undoubtedly inspire younger generations and those with a similar condition.
From Umuahia to Paris, Onyinyechi wins gold for Nigeria at 2024 Paralympics event
Previously, TheRadar reported that Onyinyechi Mark had etched her name in Paralympic history after delivering an incredible performance at the Paris 2024 Games, during which she lifted a staggering 145kg in the women’s 61kg powerlifting category.
This lift shattered the Paralympic record and surpassed the previous mark held by fellow Nigerian powerlifter Lucy Ejike. Mark, who hails from Umuahia, Nigeria, has become one of the most dominant figures in powerlifting.
