Nigeria’s Weightlifting team has departed for Moka, Mauritius to compete at the 2025 African Weightlifting Championship, scheduled from April 20 to 28, as they continue their quest for medals and continental dominance,
The travelling delegation includes six elite athletes and two coaches.The weightlifters are participating in the 35th edition of the event, having performed well at the last Championship in Egypt, finishing with six gold and five silver medals.
Rafiatu Folashade Lawal won three gold medals in the women’s 59 kg category, dominating the snatch, clean and jerk, and total lifts. In the same weight class, Adijat Adenike Olarinoye followed her closely as runners-up, winning three silver medals.
Joy Ogbonne Eze also swept all three gold medals in the women’s 71 kg category, while Edidiong Joseph Umoafia picked two silver medals in the men’s 73 kg snatch and total.
Backing the team for a great outing, the National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to investing in weightlifting, where Nigeria holds a competitive advantage. According to NSC Director General, Bukola Olopade, the commission’s long-term strategy is anchored in deliberate support for medal-yielding disciplines such as weightlifting.
Since 2008, Nigeria has won 87 gold, 52 silver, and 16 bronze medals at the African Weightlifting Championships, amassing a total of 155 and ranking third on the all-time medal table behind Tunisia and Egypt. Tunisia leads with 150 gold medals, followed by Egypt with 134.
The Mauritius championships serve as a ranking event recognised by the International Weightlifting Federation and offer a valuable benchmark as Nigeria continues preparations for upcoming global competitions.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
