By Amaechi Agbo
Team Nigeria produced a stunning show of strength, skill and composure on Thursday as three teenage weightlifters powered the country to an impressive haul of eight gold medals and one silver on Day One of the weightlifting event at the ongoing African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Competing at the Dream Space Hall, Favour Cornelius (44kg), Esther Chidalu Ezenwa (48kg) and Chinaza Cecilia Ezenwa (53kg) dominated their respective categories, announcing Nigeria’s intent to rule the platform and placing the nation firmly among the leading medal contenders at the Games.
Fourteen-year-old Favour Cornelius set the competition alight in the women’s 44kg category, delivering a flawless performance to sweep all three gold medals on offer.
Cornelius opened Nigeria’s campaign in emphatic fashion, lifting 50kg in the snatch to claim her first gold of the day. She followed it up with a composed and powerful 64kg in the clean and jerk, once again topping the field. Her combined effort of 114kg total sealed a memorable three-gold-medal sweep, outclassing rivals from Angola and Ghana.
Her confidence and technical execution under pressure underlined her status as one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects and gave Team Nigeria the perfect start on the platform.
Momentum continued in the women’s 48kg category, where Esther Chidalu Ezenwa delivered another commanding display to also secure three gold medals.
Facing stiff competition from lifters from Madagascar and Kenya, Esther showed remarkable composure, lifting 63kg in the snatch to go clear of the field. She raised the bar even higher in the clean and jerk, successfully lifting 77kg, a mark none of her challengers could match. Her 140kg total confirmed her dominance and ensured Nigeria maintained its golden run.
Esther’s performance not only showcased her strength but also her tactical maturity, as she timed her lifts perfectly to shut out her closest competitors.
In the women’s 53kg category, Chinaza Cecilia Ezenwa capped Nigeria’s remarkable day with two gold medals and one silver, taking the country’s tally to eight gold and one silver overall.
Chinaza settled for silver in the snatch with a lift of 65kg, narrowly missing out on gold. However, she bounced back strongly in the clean and jerk, producing a superb 83kg lift to clinch gold. Her consistency paid off handsomely as her 148kg total earned Nigeria yet another gold medal, sealing a highly successful outing for the Ezenwa sisters and Team Nigeria.
An elated President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr Ibrahim Abdul Aladi, praised the athletes for living up to expectations and justifying the confidence placed in them.
“I am extremely proud of these young lifters. Winning eight gold medals and one silver on the first day is a clear statement of our preparation and potential,” Dr Aladi said.
“This performance shows that Nigeria’s future in weightlifting is very bright. The athletes were focused, disciplined and fearless on the platform, and they truly made the nation proud.”
Dr Aladi also reiterated his appreciation to the National Sports Commission for providing the athletes with exposure at the continental level, stressing that such opportunities are crucial for long-term development.
Equally delighted, NWF Technical Director, Sefiya Onubaye, who is serving as one of the technical officials at the competition, described the day’s performance as exceptional.
“What we saw today was the result of hard work, proper coaching and mental toughness,” Onubaye said.
“The girls executed their lifts beautifully and competed with confidence. This is a big motivation for the rest of the team, and it shows that Nigeria is on the right path in youth weightlifting.”
Team Nigeria’s weightlifting campaign could get even better on Friday morning, when Florence Olarinoye steps onto the platform in the women’s 58kg category. With the momentum already firmly in Nigeria’s favour, officials and supporters are optimistic that the country could achieve a clean sweep of gold medals in the women’s events.
With 15 African nations participating in the weightlifting event and 38 lifters competing, Nigeria’s dominant start has sent a strong message across the continent. As the African Youth Games continue by in Luanda, Team Nigeria’s young weightlifters have already written a golden chapter — and there could be more to come.
