Folashade Dedicates Algeria Powerlifting Glory to Kingsley Awodi
.As Philanthropist Rewards Team Nigeria
Team Nigeria’s para powerlifters returned from Algeria in triumph, with Oluwafemi Ayo Folashade leading the charge after a stunning haul of four gold medals at the just-concluded Para Powerlifting Championships.
On arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, an emotional Folashade dedicated her medals to Mr. Kingsley Awodi, whom she described as “our father” in a heartfelt tribute.
“I won four gold medals and I am dedicating them to our father, Mr. Awodi Kingsley,” she announced, lifting her medals high to cheers from fans and officials.
For Folashade, the victory was about more than her personal success. She celebrated the flawless performance of the entire Nigerian contingent.
“We thank God for this journey. He has taken us to Algeria and we are back. What makes me very happy is the medal. We went there with our records and we also won medals. Nobody went to that place and came back empty-handed. That alone is a thing of joy for us.”
Nigeria has long dominated global para powerlifting, consistently topping medal tables at the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games.
The country holds multiple world records across several weight categories, with athletes like Folashade key to maintaining that legacy.
The Algeria championships featured over 18 African nations, making Nigeria’s clean sweep even more significant.
Folashade stressed that the Algeria outing was a crucial step toward bigger targets.
“This tournament we just came back from is a qualifier for the Paralympic Games because without this championship, there’s no way we will qualify. It also serves as preparation for the Commonwealth Games, which I believe with your support, prayers, and by the grace of God, we will go and come back with gold medals.”
In recognition of their outstanding performance, philanthropist Kingsley Awodi doled out US dollars to motivate the athletes and announced cash rewards for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. He pledged ₦2 million for each gold medalist, ₦1.5 million for silver medalists, and ₦1 million for bronze medalists
With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics now firmly in sight, performances in Algeria count toward world rankings and qualification slots. Folashade’s four gold medals have all but secured her ticket to both global stages.
