Josephine Orji

Josephine Precious Orji
Orji with her world record gold medal for Nigeria
Personal information
NicknamePrecious
Born (1979-04-08) 8 April 1979 (age 45)
Weight134 kg (295 lb)
Medal record
Women's Weightlifting
Representing  Nigeria
Paralympics Games
Gold medal – first place Rio 2016 Women's +86 kg

Josephine Precious Orji (born 8 April 1979) is a Nigerian professional powerlifter. On 14 September 2016, she won gold in the women's +86kg category at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Brazil before she went on to set a new world and Games record by lifting 160 kg (350 lb) at the same event.[1][2]

Career

Josephine developed a passion for powerlifting in 2001 after visiting a gym in Owerri and trying out the sport for the first time. Afterwards, she quit her job as a computer expert in a cyber café and commenced her training to develop a career in sport as a powerlifter.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Paralympic: Josephine Orji breaks new records, wins gold". Vanguard Newspaper. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  2. ^ Duro Ikhazuagbe (15 September 2016). "Nigeria's Josephine Orji Shatters World Record at Rio Paralympics". ThisDay News. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Orji on the highs and lows of a Paralympic champion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.


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