Team Nigeria delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 African Senior Weightlifting Championships in Moka, Mauritius, maintaining its dominance on the medals table with a haul of 13 gold, four silver, and one bronze medal.
Despite fielding only six lifters, Nigeria emerged champions after concluding their events on Friday, with several standout performances across the categories. The team’s success comes after consistent dominance from the opening day of the competition.
Leading the charge, Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele swept three gold medals in the women’s 64kg category, while Onome Omolola Didih replicated the feat in the women’s 55kg division, clinching another set of three golds.
Commonwealth Games champion and two-time African Games gold medallist, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, continued her winning streak by topping the 59kg category. She lifted 95kg in the snatch and 118kg in the clean and jerk, totaling 213kg to secure a hat-trick of gold medals.
In the men’s competition, Umoafia Joseph Edidiong shone in the 73kg category, winning gold in the snatch with a 147kg lift and adding two silvers in the clean and jerk. Meanwhile, Tuesday Emmanuel contributed to the medal haul with two silvers and one bronze in the 67kg category after a combined lift of 276kg.
The final gold rush came from 18-year-old Sarah Ovayioza, who dazzled in the women’s 76kg category. Her combined lift of 237kg earned her three gold medals, thrilling the spectators as she sealed Nigeria’s brilliant campaign in style.
Although the championship continues until April 28, Team Nigeria has already exited the stage with one of its most impressive medal hauls in recent history.
Speaking on the team’s success, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, praised the athletes and officials, recalling how he provided $3,800 in cash incentives to the contingent before their departure, aimed at boosting their morale.
President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr Ibrahim Abdul, attributed the triumph to the strategic leadership in Nigerian sports under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“By appointing proven technocrats like Mallam Shehu Dikko and Olopade, President Tinubu laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity for Nigerian sports,” Abdul said. “The financial support and close engagement with the athletes gave them the morale boost needed to excel.”
Olopade, speaking with The Guardian via telephone, expressed delight over the athletes’ performance, noting that they form part of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
In celebration of the team’s achievement, members of the Nigeria Supporters Club, led by Vincent Okumagba, are set to welcome the weightlifters and officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
