Nigerian Paralympics powerlifter Esther Nworgu said on Wednesday claiming the silver medal in Paris was “like heaven” having dislocated her shoulder just two days ago.
Nworgu, who lost the use of her legs as a child, only missed out on gold in the bench press to defending champion Cui Zhe of China in the up to 41kg category by one kilogram.
The 21-year-old’s efforts were limited however as she was effectively lifting the bar with one arm due to the injury.
“I was so emotional because I never expected any medal from this competition,” Nworgu told reporters.
“I had an injury two days ago and the doctors confirmed that I should not compete because it was critical.
“There is no adjective I can use to quantify my happiness right now.
“It is like heaven to me,” the wheelchair user added with heavy strapping on her right shoulder after the medal ceremony.
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As an eight-year-old Nworgu lost the use of her legs without a clinical reason before then starting the sport a decade ago.
“I accepted my disability, joined it with the love in my personality and this (the medal) is the result,” she said.
“I don’t like using “d-i-s” in my ability, I like using “th-i-s” in my ability.
“When there is disability there is ability and what people see as ‘disability’ is not what I see, I see it as a strength and an ability.
“In sport, there are many things you have to realise about yourself.
“Sport is like an X-ray, it brings you out and shows what you are inside,” she added philosophically.
Nworgu is part of a strong Nigeria powerlifting field in the French capital which includes eight competitors and a host of world record holders.
Its historic success in the sport comes from government funding into coaching.
After securing silver and a temporary world record, Nworgu fell to the ground with her coach Patience Igbiti, who won a Paralympic silver and bronze medal at Athens in 2004 and then Beijing four years later.
“Nigerians are strong people. Our strength comes from the mind,” a smiling Nworgu said on the opening day of powerlifting at the 2024 Games.
“When you tell yourself ‘I can do this’ you see yourself doing it.
“When you speak it in your mind you see your body doing it,” she added.
In the next Paralympics in Los Angeles in four years’ time, China’s gold medallist Zhe will be 41, while Nworgu will be three months shy of her 26th birthday.
“In the nearby future, I want to rule my world,” Nworgu said.
“I want to win medals, break and create world records,” she added.
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