Teenage sensations Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur, representing the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) contingent, have made a stunning impact at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The young weightlifters triumphed over elite competitors in the women’s 45kg event, securing an impressive haul of two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
Their remarkable achievement on Sunday sent a jolt of excitement through the competition, highlighting the immense potential of Nigeria’s emerging generation of champions.
The weightlifting events unfolded at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Sagamu.
Simultaneously, the festival featured kung fu, deaf badminton, and badminton competitions taking place in Ikenne and Abeokuta.
Chijioke emerged as a dominant force, clinching two gold medals in the clean and jerk category with a best lift of 82kg.
Her combined total of 146kg secured her the top position. Teammate Tekumbur also contributed to the medal count, earning a bronze in the clean and jerk with a 78kg lift.
Rivers State’s Christina Allorima finished ahead of Tekumbur, securing the silver medal with an 81kg lift. In the snatch category, Lagos State’s Ronke Olarinoye claimed the gold with a best lift of 65kg.
Chijioke of IJA narrowly missed another gold, lifting 64kg to take the silver in the snatch while Allorima secured her second bronze of the event with a 61kg lift.
Olarinoye’s gold medal, awarded at 12:57 p.m., stands as a strong contender for the first gold of the 2024 Games, pending official confirmation from the Main Organising Committee.
The IJA team comprises over 100 talented teenagers from across Nigeria, handpicked by the National Sports Commission to gain invaluable experience against more seasoned athletes.
This initiative aims to fast-track the development of young talent by providing them with early exposure to high-level competition.
These young athletes are participating in a diverse range of sports, including athletics, badminton, football, para-athletics, swimming, table tennis, tennis, wrestling, and weightlifting.
Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), had articulated the vision behind IJA concept: “We created the Invited Junior Athletes concept because we believe in the talents of young people who are bound in this country.
“If you have gone to the Youth Games and you are a champion, let us then see how you grow into the elite cadre and the only way you can grow into that cadre is by competing and beating the elite athletes.”
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