Yakubu Adesokan wins first Gold Medal for Nigeria & breaks World Record at London 2012 Paralympics

Nigeria got on the medals table on Day One of the London 2012 Paralympics following Yakubu Adesokan’s brilliant performance in the men’s -48kg powerlifting event.

Adesokan lifted 180kg, setting a world record and winning the gold medal ahead of Russia ’s Vladimir Balynetc, who won silver, and Egypt ’s Taha Abdelmagid (bronze).

The Nigerian broke the Paralympic record with his first lift of 175kg and later set a world record of 178kg in his second attempt. He returned the third time to lift 180kg.

Adesokan’s feat did not surprise many of the Paralympic officials as he entered the Games as the world champion. He set the initial world record of 177kg at the Fazza Powerlifting Championships where he picked the qualifying ticket for the Paralympics.