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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.