Nigeria have been placed second best overall nation in weightlifting event of the on-going 2023 Africa Games in Ghana with a total of 32 medals.
While Nigeria came second overall on the weightlifting medals table, the female lifters came first in their category winning 11 gold and two silver medals, second placed Egypt had 11 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals.
Represented by 12 lifters made of six male and six female with four coaches, Nigeria lifters won 16 good, 10 silver and 6 bronze medals to come second behind leading country Egypt.
On their part, the Egyptians who also won the weightlifting event in 2019 Rabat Games had a total of 24 gold, 4 solve and 4 bronze medals to once again show their superiority in the sport.
All the 12 Nigeria lifters won medals with the exception of Morufat Folarin who was injured on Day 1 of the competition and could not continue.
King Kalu and Favour Agboro led the curtain raiser on Sunday after they won five medals two bronze in 55kg and two silver and a bronze in 61kg, respectively.
On Day 2 of the weightlifting event, Nigeria was dominant after all the three lifters won a combined 9 gold collectively, each winning three gold medals respectively. They were Edidiong Umoafia (67kg), Adijat Adenike Olarinoye (55kg) and Rafiatu Lawal (59kg).
Day 3 of the competition saw Nigeria win six more gold medals by Ruth Ayodele (64kg) and Joy Eze in 71kg, each winning 3 good medals in that order.
Competing on Day 4 were Desmond Akano (Men’s -96kg) who won 2 Silver, and a Bronze medals while Abayomi Adeyemi (Men’s 102kg) claimed a silver and 2 bronze.
Nigeria won another gold medal on Day 5 after Mary Osijo and Lucky Joseph combined to win six more medals.
Competing in Women’s 87kg, Ọsịsọ won 1 Gold and 2 Silver medals while Joseph won all the three silver medals in Men’s +109kg category Nigeria Weightlifting team were coaches by Ajei Emeka Godson , Ayodabo Kehinde, Lawal Patience and Okuofoh Evelyn. The General Secretary of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, NWF, Mrs Melvina Ashinedu Apeh is also part of the team.
The 2023 Africa Games Weightlifting event which began on Saturday, 9th March was rounded off on Friday, March 15, 2024 at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Nigeria weightlifting team will return home with their shoulders held high having retained their second position which they achieved in Rabat Morocco, four years ago.
Nigeria’s Weightlifting Medal Results
1. Kalu King – 55 kg – 2 Bronze
2. Favour Agboro – 61 kg – 2 Silver & 1 Bronze
3. Edidiong Umoafia – 67 kg — 3 Gold
4. Adijat Olarinoye – 55 kg. —- Gold 3
5. Rafiatu Lawal – 59 kg. — Gold 3
6. Ruth Ayodele – 64 kg — Gold 3
7. Joy Eze – 71 kg —- Gold 3
8. Desmond Akano – 96 kg – Silver 2 & 1 Bronze
9. Abayomi Adeyemi – 102 kg – Silver 1 & 2 Bronze
10. Mary Taiwo Osijo – 87 kg – Gold 1 & 2 Silver
11. Lucky Joseph – +109 kg – Silver 3
Total Medals:-
Gold – 16
Silver – 10
Bronze – 6