Team Nigeria is delivering a powerful performance at the African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Mauritius, currently topping the medal table with a total of 10 gold, four silver, and one bronze medal as the event nears its conclusion.
Standout performances came from Rafiatu Lawal and Didih Onome, who each swept three gold medals in their respective weight divisions earlier in the day. Their triumphs were followed by Ruth Ayodele, who added to Nigeria’s golden tally by winning three gold medals in the women’s 64kg category with a combined total lift of 213kg — comprising 93kg in the snatch and 120kg in the Clean & Jerk.
Lawal, a 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, was unchallenged in the 59kg category, where she claimed all three gold medals with ease. “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,” she said proudly.
In the 55kg category, Onome delivered a similarly dominant display. “We came to Mauritius on a mission to showcase 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,” she said.
Adding to the success, Edidiong Joseph won one gold and two silver medals in the 73kg class, while Tuesday Emmanuel earned two silver medals and one bronze, further boosting Nigeria’s medal count.
Although the championship runs through April 28, Nigeria is scheduled to wrap up its campaign during the Friday evening session, with lifters Omolola Matthew and Sarah Ovayioza still set to compete.
As Team Nigeria heads into the final phase of the competition in Moka, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, energized the squad by announcing a financial incentive package for each medal won. Earlier in the week, Olopade also confirmed that four lifters had been upgraded to Category A of the Elite Athletes Programme. This comes with a training grant of $20,000 per athlete, with an initial payment of $5,000 scheduled for next week.
