By Jude Opara, Abuja
Team Nigeria early on Friday wrapped up its participation at the 2025 African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius, with a superlative performance with 18 medals—13 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze.
This haul equally cements the status of the country as a continental powerhouse in the sport.
A statement from Kola Daniel, the S.A Media to the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), said Nigeria’s final day of competition saw Sarah Ovayioza deliver a show-stopping performance in the women’s 76kg weight category, lifting a combined total of 237kg in the snatch, clean, and jerk.
“Her flawless execution earned the nation three more gold medals and drew roaring applause from the crowd as she closed out Nigeria’s campaign in style.
“Earlier in the tournament, Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele also dazzled in the women’s 64kg category, completing a clean sweep of the three gold medals in her weight class.
“Following suit, Onome Omolola Didih was the star of the 55kg division with another triple-gold performance, dominating her weight class from start to finish (three gold medals)”.
Similarly, two-time African Games gold medallist and reigning Commonwealth Games champion, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, continued her golden streak in the 59kg category. Her lifts of 95kg (snatch) and 118kg (clean and jerk) for a total of 213kg secured yet another hat-trick of gold medals for the impressive Team Nigeria.
In the men’s events, Umoafia Joseph Edidiong powered through the 73kg category with a 147kg snatch to win gold, while narrowly missing out on a gold rush with two silvers in the clean and jerk category.
Also, Tuesday Emmanuel contributed to the medal haul in the 67kg category, bagging two silver medals and a bronze after a combined lift of 276kg (130kg snatch, 146kg clean & jerk).
The statement added that despite the fact that the championship continues until April 28, Nigeria’s contingent has concluded its events, with a respectable performance with one of the most impressive medal hauls recorded in recent history ever.
This outstanding performance has once more showcased Nigeria’s continued dominance and rising momentum in weightlifting both within and outside Africa.
