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Onyinyechi Mark Wins Nigeria’s First Gold At Paralympics

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Onyinyechi Mark has secured Nigeria’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, dominating the women’s 61kg powerlifting event with a world-record lift of 150kg.

The 23-year-old achieved this remarkable feat on Friday, outperforming China’s Cui Jianjin, who lifted 140kg for silver, and Mexico’s Amelia Perez, who took bronze with a 130kg lift.

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Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, John Enoh, celebrated Mark’s victory in a message on social media, saying, “Congratulations Onyinyechi Mark! Today, you hoisted the flag of our great nation at the ongoing Paralympics, having won Nigeria’s first Olympics gold medal at the ongoing Paralympics. Not only did you lift 147kg to break the Paralympic record and win a gold medal, but you took a challenge given to you and lifted 150kg to set a new world record. Bravo!!

“You have brought immense pride and joy to Nigerians, you have built a momentum which makes a worthy statement of the resilient Nigerian spirit. We are so proud of you, the government and sports-loving people of Nigeria celebrate you our champ! Thank you for doing it for yourself and the country.”

Onyinyechi Mark’s recent gold medal victory in the women’s 61kg powerlifting category has brought Team Nigeria’s medal tally to three at the 2024 Paralympics.

Earlier in the Games, Eniola Bolaji made history by becoming the first African to win a medal in Para-Badminton, capturing bronze in the Women’s Singles SL3 category with a decisive 2-0 victory over Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna (21-9, 21-9).

In addition, Esther Nworgu secured a silver medal in the women’s 41kg para-powerlifting category, adding to Nigeria’s impressive performance.

Team Nigeria’s para-powerlifters continue to shine on the global stage, breaking barriers and achieving new milestones.

Team Nigeria’s para-powerlifters have a track record of excellence, having dominated the 2021 Para-powerlifting World Cup in Manchester with an impressive haul of eight gold and three silver medals, finishing ahead of 18 other countries.

The victorious team included standout athletes like Lucy Ejike, Jonah Ben, Bose Omolayo, Tijani Latifat, Yakubu Adesokan, Ibrahim Dauda, and Thomas Kure, among others.

Onyinyechi Mark, who recently secured a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, was also part of that winning squad, claiming silver in the women’s 55kg category after a closely contested match with Ukraine’s Mariana Shevchuk.

The Nigerian powerlifting team continues to build on its success, establishing itself as a formidable force in the sport.

 

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Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return

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Chelsea are set to receive a welcome boost with Omari Kellyman nearing a return to action after a frustrating start to his Stamford Bridge career.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £19 million summer transfer, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since September.

Kellyman initially made an impression with Chelsea’s Under-21s, scoring twice in three appearances, including during a 4-2 defeat to Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup. However, his progress was halted by the injury, which has kept him out of action for months.

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According to reports from the Daily Mail, Kellyman is now on track to return within the next four weeks, offering Chelsea a much-needed boost as the team looks to navigate a congested festive fixture schedule. The teenager is expected to be fit before Christmas and could soon make his senior debut for the club.

Reflecting on his move to Chelsea earlier this year, Kellyman expressed his excitement about joining the West London outfit. “It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” he said.

Kellyman’s footballing journey began at Derby County, where he progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to the first-team squad by Wayne Rooney at just 16 years old.

After leaving Derby for Aston Villa in 2022, he signed his first professional contract and made his Premier League debut last season against Manchester City.

Despite his brief stint at Villa, which included a Europa Conference League appearance, Kellyman made the high-profile move to Chelsea in June, signing a six-year contract.

Now, as he edges closer to full fitness, both the player and the club will hope his long-awaited debut signals the start of a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca

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Earlier this month, Chelsea Football Club convened a comprehensive meeting of their first-team recruitment team, aimed at aligning their efforts with the club’s overarching vision.

This scouting summit brought together approximately 30 of the club’s key talent identifiers, with the objective of reinvigorating the search for future stars in world football.

Adding an extra layer of inspiration to the gathering, Leicester City manager and former Manchester City assistant, Enzo Maresca, made a guest appearance. Maresca, who briefly worked alongside some of Chelsea’s current personnel during his time under Pep Guardiola, took time to pose for a group photograph with the team. Those present reportedly left the summit feeling “enthused, energised, and as motivated as ever” to uncover the next generation of footballing gems.

READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea

The Italian tactician has maintained an interest in Chelsea’s squad and their emerging talents. A source close to Maresca suggested that he harbours a keen desire to see Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest young signings, team up with Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who enjoyed a brief but impactful loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.

While Palmer continues to thrive at Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester City, Felix’s future remains uncertain, with speculation persisting about whether the Blues could revisit a permanent deal for the Atlético Madrid star.

Chelsea’s recruitment team will undoubtedly keep such possibilities in mind as they look to execute their shared vision, leveraging the energy from this summit to identify players capable of complementing the club’s long-term strategy. With Maresca’s words and presence leaving a lasting impression, the search for the world’s finest footballing gems continues in earnest.

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Lukeba’s €90m Clause Attracts Real Madrid, PL Clubs

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RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has become a hot topic in the transfer market following details about his new contract.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba’s release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2025, starting at around €90 million and varying from season to season.

This development has drawn the attention of football giants, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping a close watch on the French centre-back’s progress. Premier League clubs are also monitoring Lukeba as a potential defensive reinforcement for 2025.

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The 20-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, has already made an impression in the Bundesliga with his composed defensive skills and tactical versatility. His rising profile has placed him among Europe’s most promising young defenders, making him a coveted target for top clubs.

Leipzig’s decision to include a fluctuating release clause highlights their commitment to protecting Lukeba’s value while leaving the door open for a future big-money move.

With Real Madrid and several Premier League sides in the mix, the 2025 summer transfer window is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Lukeba’s career. Fans and scouts alike will be closely watching his development as he continues to shine in Leipzig’s backline.

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