Into Folashade Oluwafemiayo
Folashade Oluwafemiayo is a Nigerian para-powerlifter who made headlines at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games by achieving a remarkable feat. She lifted 167 kg, breaking both the Paralympic and world records in the women’s heavyweight category, earning a gold medal for Nigeria. This historic lift not only set her apart as one of the best in her field but also cemented her place as a global leader in para-powerlifting.
Key Achievements
Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s remarkable career is defined by consistent victories across several major international events. In the 2024 Paris Paralympics, she set a world record by lifting 167 kg, clinching the gold medal. This achievement followed her 2020 Paralympic success in Tokyo, where she also secured a gold medal, affirming her status as one of the most formidable athletes in her category.
Her performance at the World Championships has been equally stellar. She earned gold medals in multiple editions: 2017 in Mexico, 2019 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 2021 in Tbilisi, Georgia, 2022 in Birmingham, UK, where she excelled in the Women’s Bench Press Heavyweight division 2023 in Dubai, UAE. These accomplishments highlight Oluwafemiayo’s dominance in para-powerlifting, setting new standards on the global stage.
In addition to these accolades, Oluwafemiayo also led Team Nigeria as captain during the Paris Games. Her leadership and outstanding performance brought Nigeria’s medal tally to seven, contributing to two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
Challenges and Hurdles
Like many athletes, Oluwafemiayo’s journey to success wasn’t easy. She has faced both physical and societal challenges. Early in her career, she battled the stigma and discrimination often associated with athletes with disabilities. Additionally, her athletic journey required overcoming logistical hurdles related to training conditions and resources, which are often less accessible to para-athletes in developing countries like Nigeria.
However, she has credited her persistence and determination for helping her rise above these barriers. In interviews, she has shared that her early dream was to become a nurse, but after that ambition fell through, she discovered powerlifting, which became her passion and pathway to international recognition.
Apart from her Paralympic golds, Oluwafemiayo has set world records in multiple international competitions. Her contributions to the sport have been recognized at both the national and global levels. In 2024, after her world record-breaking performance, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, John Enoh, lauded her achievement as a moment of immense pride for the nation.Oluwafemiayo’s legacy in para-powerlifting continues to inspire young Nigerian athletes, particularly women and people with disabilities, proving that with dedication and resilience, global recognition is possible even in the face of adversity.
