By Gary Anderson

August 4 - NIGERIAN WEIGHTLIFTER DEATHLondon 2012 gold medallist Joy Onaolapo has died, the Nigerian Power Lifting Federation (NPLF) announced today.


Onaolapo (pictured top), who was 30 and suffered from polio, won gold in the 52 kilogrammes powerlifting competition at the Paralympics, and NPLF head coach Are Feyisetan officially confirmed her death, adding that details of her passing were yet to be established.

"What we know so far is that Onaolapo, married with two children, died last week in her home state, Edo,'' said Feyisetan.

Joy Onaolapo with Paralympic gold London 2012Joy Onaolapo celebrating her Paralympic gold medal at London 2012

He said that the Federation was trying to contact her family through the State Sports Council for burial plans.

Ijeoma Iheriobim, another coach with the NPLF and who worked with Onaolapo during her career, praised her dedication and commitment to the sport, adding that her death was a great loss to the powerlifting family.

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