By Amaechi Agbo
Nigeria’s Weightlifters added three more gold medals in the evening session of the ongoing African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius to end Thursday proceedings with 10 gold, four silver and one bronze totalling a remarkable 15 medals from just five weightlifters.
Nigeria’s gold rush began with the Women’s 55kg through Onome Omolola Didih who lifted 92kg in the snatch and 111kg in the Clean & Jerk for a total lift of 203kg to claim all the three gold medals at stake at the event in the morning session leaving her opponents to scramble for silver and bronze medals.
It was the same story in the women’s 59kg category as multiple African Champion and Commonwealth Games Queen, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal scooped another three gold medals with her 95kg lift in the snatch; 118kg in the Clean & Jerk and total of 213kg lift.
It was Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele’s turn to shine in the women’s 64kg when she bagged another three gold medals in her class. She lifted 93kg in the Snatch and had 120kg in the clean & jerk for a total 213kg lift to increase Nigeria’s gold haul.
In the men’s 73kg, Umoafia Joseph Edidiong also sparked winning a gold and two silver medals with his snatch lift of 147kg; 172kg in the Clean & Jerk and a total of 319kg.
Tuesday Emmanuel also was fabulous on a Thursday in the Men’s 67kg claiming two silver medals and a bronze medal in his category.
Tuesday lifted 130kg in the snatch and 146kg in the Clean & Jerk for a combined lift of 276kg.
It has been an incredible championship for Nigeria with all the five Weightlifters winning three medals each.
Nigeria will end her campaign in the championship in the Women’s 76kg in the evening session on Friday through Matthew Sarah Ovayioza Matthew and the contingent is hopeful she will deliver more medals for the country.
The country is in clear lead atop the medals table with the performance of her representatives on Thursday.
One of the gold medallists, Umoafia Joseph Edidiong was elated to win a gold medal and two silver medals but pointed out that for a few mistakes he could have performed than he did.
He promised to work on his weaknesses ahead of future competitions and he thumbed up the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation led by Dr Ibrahim Abdul and the National Sports Commission for ensuring that their dream of attending the championship became a reality.
“I am happy to add to the medals I have won for my nation but I know I could do better next time and that is what I am going to do. I will improve on my mistakes and perfect my tactics next time,” Edidiong told the NWF Media.
“We are grateful to our hard working Board of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation led by Dr Ibrahim Abdul and the National Sports Commission for making us to be here. We shall go back home to prepare better for other competitions.”
Rafiatu Lawal (59KG) and Didih Onome (55KG) led the charge, each claiming three gold medals in their respective weight categories. Lawal, 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 Africa games gold medallist, was in a class of her own, dominating the 59KG event with confidence and grace.
“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,” Lawal declared with pride.
Onome, who dazzled in the 55KG category, echoed the spirit of determination that drives the team. “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.”
Motivating the team prior to the peak of the competition in Moka, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, announced a generous incentive package for each medal the team wins. Earlier in the week, Hon. Olopade also revealed that four lifters have been upgraded into the Category A of the Elite Athletes Programme and will receive training grants totalling $20,000—beginning with an initial $5,000 payment next week.
The African Weightlifting Senior Championship continues through April 28, with Team Nigeria eyeing even more podium finishes and proving its dominance on the continental stage.
