By Amaechi Agbo
The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) is pleased to announce that the victorious Team Nigeria contingent to the ongoing 2025 Africa Junior & Youth Weightlifting Championship in Accra, Ghana, will return to the country on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
Representing the nation with pride and distinction, Florence Olarinoye Oluwadamilare (58kg) and Ezenwa Chinaza Cecilia (48kg ) delivered exceptional performances that brought glory to Nigeria on the continental stage.
Florence Olarinoye claimed six (6) gold medals—three in the Junior and three in the Youth categories—lifting a total of 157kg (71kg in snatch and 86kg in clean and jerk), thereby consolidating her status as a rising star in African weightlifting.
Equally impressive was Ezenwa Chinaza Cecilia, who earned three (3) gold medals in the Youth category after her initial silver medal was upgraded to gold. She lifted a total of 135kg (63kg in snatch and 72kg in clean and jerk), setting the pace for Nigeria’s medal sweep.
Their combined efforts have brought Nigeria’s medal haul at the Championship to a total of nine (9) gold medals, marking one of the nation’s most successful outings at the African Youth/Junior Championship in recent years.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Media Officer of the Federation, Mr Amaechi Agbo, the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation commended Coach Odurinde Ruth Jumoke and Technical Official Onubaye Sefiya for their excellent work and professionalism throughout the competition. Their technical guidance, motivation, and discipline have played a critical role in the team’s outstanding performance.
Special commendation also goes to the President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Aladi, whose leadership continues to set the pace for the sport in the country and even beyond. His commitment to grassroots development and international representation of Nigerian weightlifting continues to bear fruit.
As the championship winds down in Ghana on Friday, August 22, 2025, the NWF remains optimistic about the future of Nigerian weightlifting and reiterates its commitment to developing young talents capable of flying the national flag at global competitions.
Once again, we congratulate our golden girls and the entire Team Nigeria delegation on this well-deserved victory.
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