'Like heaven': Nigerian powerlifter Esther Nworgu wins Paralympic silver

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00:00Nigerian powerlifters have been a powerful presence at the Paralympics and that success

00:06became even weightier on Wednesday as Esther Nwogu claimed silver at the Paris Games. It was

00:12an emotional one. The 21-year-old only missed out on gold in the up to 41 kg bench press by one kilo

00:20and Nwogu's performance is even more impressive because it came just a couple of days after she

00:26dislocated her shoulder, meaning she pretty much pushed through with one arm out of action. She

00:33says claiming the silver was still like heaven. Our James Vaziner was there as she medalled

00:39and caught up with her shortly after her meddling. We've just witnessed an incredible competition in

00:46the women's 41 kilos, a competition in which a Nigerian Esther Nwogu managed to take this

00:53shiny silver medal. Esther, how was that? You looked so happy on the podium, you almost looked

00:59as though you'd won gold. Sure, exactly because this silver medal to me it's a gold medal.

01:06My last attempt to me is a world record. And in the end you've set a Paralympic record,

01:12it didn't last for too long because of course China managed to break it just after that but it

01:16was full of emotion in these finals. Sure, yes because I never expected any medal from here

01:24because I made an injury two days ago and the doctors confirmed that I cannot make it and

01:29they want me never to come here to compete but something in me kept telling me that's the spirit

01:35of sportmanship, keep telling me you can do this, you've gone so far for you to stay back,

01:41you can do it, you can compete and you will win. And in the end, so you ignored the doctor's advice

01:47but went on to win Nigeria's first silver medal in these games. Yes, yes because sometimes when

01:53your spirit tells you, you can do this, you need to follow it. What's it like in Nigeria

01:58for para sports? What is it like training back home? Nigeria, I think when it comes to

02:04powerlifting, Nigeria is the best because we train, we take powerlifting as our occupation

02:12and then we focus on it. Medals to Nigerians are very much important. And what do you think can

02:18still be done for athletes of course with disabilities who want to get into sports in

02:22Nigeria? Is access easy? What else should be done? It's not actually easy because

02:28accessibility is the key factor. That's the one thing we lack from Nigeria, yes. You're still so

02:36young, what's next? Next powerlifting gold medal and world records. A lot expected there. Nigeria

02:44of course who are second in the history of the medals tally in powerlifting. There'll be plenty

02:50more powerlifting coming up throughout the week. Thank you Esther for taking the time to speak to

02:54us. Thank you so much. Good luck with the rest.

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