Nigeria’s para-powerlifting star, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, has once again etched her name in history after breaking her own world record in the women’s over 86kg category.
The 40-year-old lifted an astonishing 168kg to win gold at the 2025 World Para-Powerlifting Championship held in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday.
China’s Wenjun Zhu claimed the silver medal, while Nikoo Rozbahani of Iran settled for bronze.
The victory marks Oluwafemiayo’s fourth world title, following her previous triumphs at the 2017 Mexico City, 2019 Nur-Sultan, and 2021 Tbilisi World Championships.
She also made history at the Paris Paralympics, where she became the first para-athlete to lift 167kg, winning gold for Nigeria.
Nigeria’s dominance in Cairo extended beyond Oluwafemiayo’s feat, as Rita Ferdinand also clinched gold in the women’s 79kg category on her championship debut. Ferdinand lifted 142kg in her first attempt and added six kilos in her second to secure the top spot.
In addition, Tolulope Ogundolie earned silver for Nigeria in the women’s 41kg category, further cementing the country’s reputation as a global powerhouse in para-powerlifting.