Nigeria’s Lucy Ejike and Olaitan Ibrahim won bronze medals in powerlifting events on Saturday at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

In the finals of the events held at the Tokyo International Forum, Lucy, who was battling for her fourth Paralympic gold in the women’s 61kg had to settle for bronze.

A three-time paralympic and two-time world champion, Lucy was tipped as one of the favourites for the gold medal.

There were high expectations of a thrilling showdown between Nigeria and Mexico’s Amalia Perez who topped the podium at Rio 2016, London 2012 and Beijing 2008.

However, Lucy fell short of expectations as Perez won the gold, while Kuzieva took the silver in the women’s powerlifting 61 kg event final.

In the women’s 67kg category, Nigeria’s Olaitan Ibrahim also settled for bronze after a best lift of 119 at her second attempt.

She cleared her first at 116 but failed to clear 127 at her third attempt.

China’s Yujiao Tan won the gold with a best lift of 133, while Fatma Omar of Egypt took silver with a best lift of 120.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic will end on September 5.