Grace Ebere Anozie MON (born 16 July 1977) is a Nigerian Paralympian in powerlifting. Anozie's first Paralympic medal was a bronze at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in the 82.5 kg event. At subsequent Paralympics, Anozie won a silver medal in 2008 and gold in 2012. During her career, Anozie set a Paralympic record at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in the over 86 kg event. At the 2012 Fazza International Powerlifting Championships, Anozie broke the record for most weight by a woman Paralympian in the over 82.5 kg event with 168 kilograms. After the 2012 Summer Paralympics, Anozie became a Member of the Order of the Niger.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Grace Ebere Anozie |
| Born | 16 July 1977 Enugu, Nigeria |
Medal record | |
Early life and education edit
Anozie became paralyzed from polio when she was two years old.[1] She completed a university accounting program in 1998 but changed her career to sports when she could not find a job.[2]
Career edit
Anozie started powerlifting in 1998 and medalled in multiple Paralympic Games. In powerlifting, she was fourth in the 82.5 kg event at the 2000 Summer Paralympics.[3] Changing to the over 82.5 kg event, Anozie won a bronze at the 2004 Summer Paralympics. She later won a silver at the 2008 Summer Paralympics and a gold at the 2012 Summer Paralympics.[1] Prior to the 2012 Paralympics, Anozie had considered ending her powerlifting career due to her previous Paralympic medal performances.[4] After the 2012 event, Anozie decided to take time off from powerlifting for a year before determining if she would compete at the 2016 Summer Paralympics.[5] Outside of the Paralympics, Anozie won gold at the 2013 Powerlifting Asian Open Championships.[6]
During her career, Anozie has held world records in powerlifting. At the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, she broke the Paralympic record in the over 82.5 kg powerlifting event.[7] Later on, Anozie set the world record in the over 82.5 kg category during the 2012 Fazza International Powerlifting Championships. With 168 kilograms, Anozie set a Guinness World Record for the most weight lifted by a woman Paralympian in the over 82.5 kilograms category for powerlifting.[1][8] The year later, she held the world record in the over 86 kg event at the 2013 Asian Open Championship, which was later broken by Precious Orji.[9]
Awards and achievements edit
Anozie was nominated for the International Paralympic Committee's athlete of the month in March 2012.[10] Following the 2012 Summer Paralympics, Anozie became a Member of the Order of the Niger that year alongside her teammates that won gold at the Paralympics.[5] At the end of 2012, Anozie was named Sportswoman of the Year by The Nation for Nigeria.[11]
Personal life edit
Anozie lived in Benin, Edo State, Nigeria[3] before moving to the United States in 2014. She originally planned to visit Chicago for training tour for 2014 Commonwealth Games but ended up living in Shreveport, Louisiana after a conflict with her trainer.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Lang III, Roy (14 August 2015). "Decorated Nigerian Paralympian finds home in Shreveport". Shreveport Times. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ Kalu, Maduabuchi (14 October 2012). "Unemployment drove me into sports". Sun News. Retrieved 19 September 2017 – via Issuu.
- ^ a b "Grace Anozie". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "'I Almost Quit Sports'". P.M. News. PM News Live. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ a b Olus, Yemi (21 September 2012). "Award has changed my life — Anozie". National Mirror. p. 55. Retrieved 27 January 2022 – via Issuu.
- ^ Anderson, Gary (7 November 2013). "Iranian makes it 10 world records on final day at Asian Powerlifting Championships". Inside the Games. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "Paralympic Games Results Beijing China 14 September 2008". Disabled World. 14 September 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "Heaviest Paralympic powerlift (+82.5 kg, female)". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Nigeria Ignores Precious Orji, Female Powerlifting World Champion, Others". Greenbarge Reporters. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ Degun, Tom (4 March 2012). "Storey heads all women list for the IPC Athlete of the Month award". Inside the Games. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "Sportswoman of the Year: Grace Anozie". The Nation. 30 December 2012. p. 48. Retrieved 27 January 2022 – via Issuu.