Ruel Ishaku (born 11 January 1967) is a Nigerian Paralympic gold medal-winning powerlifter. He was elected President of the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation from 2020 till 2022 replacing the past leader Uboh Idris.[1][2] Ishaku was first elected as the representative of the board of the Paralympic association after defeating Tajudeen Agunbiade, a table tennis player by 27 votes.[3] He was later appointed the Technical Director after his rule as president in 2022.[4]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Born | 11 January 1967 Nigeria |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Powerlifting |
Medal record | |
Biography edit
Ishaku was born in 1967 in Nigeria. He suffers from poliomyelitis which means he has to walk with the use of crutches.[5] He started his career in 1991. During the 2008 interview, he said;
When I was a kid, I was interested in weightlifting. So when I heard about that powerlifting could be a sport for the disabled in 1991, I decided to have a try.
— [5]
Career edit
Ishaku made his debut at the 2000 Summer Paralympics. He competed in the Men's up to 48 kg but did not record a valid lift.
He competed at the 2004 Summer Paralympics and won bronze in the same event. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics he won the gold medal.[2]
Ishaku competed in and won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in powerlifting. It was the only weightlifting event that Nigeria was allowed to enter as the nation was banned from able-bodied lifting when three of its lifters infringed anti-doping rules.[6]
Legacy edit
Ishaku has been cited to have influenced Yakubu Adesokan after Adesokan won the 2012 game surpassing his record in 2008.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Para-Powerlifting board impeaches Queen Uboh, picks gold medalist as president". The Guardian. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Paralympic gold medalist Ishaku new NPPF president". The Punch. 16 March 2020.
- ^ "Ruel Ishaku elected as male Paralympic athletes representative". TVC News. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
- ^ "Para-Powerlifting President Charges Exco Board". This Day. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Nigerian powerlifter fulfills dream at Beijing Paralympics". china.org.cn. Xinhua News Agency. 9 September 2008.
- ^ "Ruel pride of a nation". The Border Mail. 24 March 2006. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ^ "Adesokan Fulfils Gold Promise To Nigeria". PM News. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2024.