Olaitan Ibrahim sad despite winning bronze medal

Team Nigeria’s powerlifter, Olaitan Ibrahim who won one of the country’s two bronze medals at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics has expressed sadness over her failure to win a gold medal in her event. On Saturday, Olaitan who is making her Paralympics debut lifted a weight of 119kg to place third in the 67kg category. Rated […]

Team Nigeria’s powerlifter, Olaitan Ibrahim who won one of the country’s two bronze medals at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics has expressed sadness over her failure to win a gold medal in her event.

On Saturday, Olaitan who is making her Paralympics debut lifted a weight of 119kg to place third in the 67kg category.

Rated number two in the world, the powerlifter was inconsolable after the event.

Reacting to her performance, Olaitan said “I am not happy because my target was to win gold. However, I still give glory to almighty Allah because he knows everything. I am sad but I thank Allah.

“I am not satisfied with officiating because my first and second lifts were good. And there was nothing with my third lift but I don’t know what the referees saw. I don’t know what they were doing. There is nothing else to do than to give glory to God.”

The powerlifter also gave an insight into her plans for the future as she said her target is to win gold at the next Paralympics at Paris 2024.

“What happened has taught me lessons. I have to improve and increase my level of training. I am going back to serious training.

“I will train with all my strength and I know the God I am serving won’t fail me at the next Paralympics. I won’t only win a gold medal but break the world record. That is all I can say for now,” Olaitan assured.