LAGOS –
All four main athletes featuring in the Tunis 2019 Para Athletics Grand Prix have produced podium finish on day one of the event holding at the Olympic Athletics Stadium in Rades, with new comer, Christian Ifeanyichukwu Mmadubuike, grabbing the 100 metres gold in a field dominated by North African and Asian Paralympic stars.
The four Nigerian athletes struck two gold medals and two silver, a performance that immediately qualifies them to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Ifeanyichukwu Mmadubuike won the men’s T46 100 metres gold in a fantastic time while Rio 2016 gold medalist, Flora Ugwunwa, also maintained her world leadership, finishing first in the women’s T54 Javelin event.
It was however a mixed fortune for Paralympic star, Lauritta Onye who was pushed back to silver position in the women’s F40 shot put event while Uwak Unyime Christopher also settled for silver in the women T46 100 metres.
President of Nigeria Para Athletics Federation who sourced personal funds to take the team to the event said he is elated to see that all four members performed to the medal zone and have picked tickets for the Paralympic Games.
He however regretted that Nigeria could have picked more Paralympic slots from the competition had the federation got funding support to take the 20 athletes earlier penciled to be at the Grand Prix.
“I am excited because we can say we got 4 over 4. We were only able to take four athletes and all four won medals and have now qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Most exciting for me is our new comer, Ifeanyichukwu Mmadubuike won 100m gold among other Paralympic stars in his first international outing.
“My only regret is that we did not come with more athletes because of funds. I believe 15 of the 20 athletes we initially wanted to bring here would have also won medals and qualified to the Paralympics. Also, that Lauritta (Onye) finished second here, being world record holder, is not a problem. It has not been easy for the athletes to keep form without funding support. They gravitate between training and doing other things to sustain their life.
“ The important thing is that she has picked a ticket to the Paralympics. Now she knows she has challengers for her number one position and, with necessary support, she would train harder to retain gold at the Paralympics.
“For the athletes we left behind at home, they still have a chance at future events in August and November to qualify to the Paralympic Games. We are praying and hoping that public spirited Nigerians and the corporate community will understand the need to support us either through donations or sponsorships. They will not only be helping Nigeria Para athletes to win more medals at the Tokyo Paralympics, but also supporting persons with disability to attain more fulfilling life through sports.”
