Nigerian female weightlifter breaks world record in Mexico

Nigeria’s Alice Oluwafemiayo on Sunday broke the women’s +86kg world record at the World Para Power-lifting Championships in Mexico.

Oluwafemiayo broke the record after lifting 140kg in her first three attempts and in her fourth attempt, she broke the earlier world record in the category – set by her compatriot Loveline Obiji in 2014 – by lifting 145kg.

Nigeria have thus won their first medal at the competition. The team have 11 power lifters in Mexico.

Obiji did not compete in the event. China’s Feifei Zheng (130kg) claimed silver at her first major international competition, while Egypt´s 2010 world champion Geehan Hassan (125kg) completed the podium finish.

I feel very happy, it was not something I was expecting,” Oluwafemiayo was quoted as saying by paralympic.org.