Nigeria’s weightlifting team is making waves at the ongoing African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Mauritius, topping the medal table with an impressive 7 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze medal.
The team’s outstanding performance is largely attributed to Rafiatu Lawal and Didih Onome, who each claimed three gold medals in their respective weight categories.
Rafiatu Lawal, a 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, dominated the 59KG event with confidence and elegance, saying, “I came here prepared, and I knew I had to give it everything.
The support from the Federation and the National Sports Commission has been incredible—it gave us the edge. This gold is for Nigeria.”
Onome echoed a similar sentiment, stating, “We came to Mauritius on a mission—to show the strength of Nigerian weightlifting. Every lift is for the green and white. I dedicate these medals to Dr. Ibrahim Abdul and the NSC, whose leadership continues to inspire us.”
Other Nigerian athletes who shone at the championship include Edidiong Joseph, who captured one gold and two silver medals in the 73KG category, and Tuesday Emmanuel, who added two silver medals and one bronze to Nigeria’s tally.
Medal prospects Omolola Matthew and Sarah Ovayioza are yet to conclude their categories, with Sarah set to compete on Friday.
Persecondnews recalls that the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, on Wednesday motivated Team Nigeria’s weightlifters in Moka, Mauritius, with a cash incentive for each medal won.
During the visit, Olopade donated $3,800 to athletes and officials and also announced that four athletes have been shortlisted into the A Category of the Elite Athletes Programme, securing a $20,000 annual training grant, with an initial installment of $5,000 payable by next week.
With the championship running through April 28, Team Nigeria is poised to maintain its dominance on the continental stage, eyeing more podium finishes and proving its weightlifting prowess.
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