Lauritta Onye is a Nigerian Paralympic athlete who was born on February 22, 1985. She specializes in shot put and is known for her extraordinary performances in various international competitions.
Onye gained international attention when she won a gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Early Life and Education
Lauritta Onye was born in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria. She grew up in a family of seven children and faced various challenges due to her physical disability. Onye was born with Kyphosis, a type of spine deformity that makes it difficult for her to stand straight. Despite these challenges, Onye was determined to achieve greatness in sports.
Onye attended Government Technical College in Owerri, Imo State and later pursued a degree in Industrial Chemistry from Imo State University.
Career
Onye started her sports career in 2012 when she was introduced to Paralympic sports by a sports coach. She began training and participated in her first competition at the World Championships in Lyon, France, in 2013. Onye finished in seventh place at the event.
In 2014, Onye won her first gold medal at the African Championships in Marrakesh, Morocco. She went on to represent Nigeria at the 2015 IPC World Championships in Doha, Qatar. Onye won a gold medal in shot put at the event, setting a new African record. She continued her winning streak and won a gold medal at the 2016 IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships held in Dubai.
Onye made history when she won a gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, setting a new Paralympic and African record of 8.40 meters. She went on to win a silver medal at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships held in London.
Records Held
Lauritta Onye has set several records in shot put. These records include:
- African Record – 8.94m (2019)
- Paralympic Record – 8.40m (2016)
- African record, women’s F40 shot put – 7.72m (2017)
- 2019 Dubai Grand Prix: 5th – 6.82 meters, breaking a new national record for Nigeria in women’s F40 shot put.
- 2019 Tunis Grand Prix: 3rd – 8.63 meters.
Personal Life
Lauritta Onye is married and has a child. She is a devout Christian and attributes her success to her faith.
Net Worth
Lauritta Onye’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000. In Nigerian Naira, her net worth is about ₦191,000,000. In Canadian dollars, her net worth is about CAD $638,484. In Ghanaian cedi, her net worth is about GH¢2,967,650. In Kenyan shilling, her net worth is about KES 53,809,269. In South African Rand, her net worth is about ZAR 6,885,000. In Uganda shilling, her net worth is about UGX 1,833,500,000. In Indian rupee, her net worth is about INR 36,625,000.
Awards and Nominations
Some of Lauritta Onye’s notable awards and nominations include:
- 2014 African Championships – Gold Medalist, Shot Put Women F40
- 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships – Gold Medalist, Shot Put Women F40
- 2016 Paralympic Games – Gold Medalist, Shot Put Women F40
- 2017 World Para Athletics Championships – Silver Medalist, Shot Put Women F40
- 2018 Commonwealth Games – Bronze Medalist, Shot Put Women F41/42/43
Links to Videos and Social Media
Here are links to some of Lauritta Onye’s videos on YouTube:
Lauritta Onye can be found on social media platforms such as:
Conclusion
Lauritta Onye is an inspiration to many people in Nigeria and around the world. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and hard work. She has shown that disabilities do not define a person and that with dedication and hard work, one can achieve greatness. Onye continues to inspire and motivate people, and her legacy in sports will endure for years to come.