Pius Ayinor
Team Nigeria weightlifters have had another outstanding outing at the ongoing Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Edidiong Joseph Umoafia, Onome Omolola Didih, and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal all claiming gold medals in record-breaking fashion.
The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) has hailed the performance and celebrated its partnership with the National Sports Commission.
The trio reinforced Nigeria’s status as a weightlifting powerhouse by setting new Games records while delivering three memorable victories for the country.
Umoafia set the tone in the men’s 71kg event with a commanding display. The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist lifted 147kg in the snatch and 172kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 319kg, establishing a new Commonwealth Games record.
Samoa’s John Lautafi Tafi settled for silver with a total of 314kg, while Nauru’s Ezekiel Moses claimed bronze with 310kg.
Nigeria’s golden run continued in the women’s 53kg category as Didih produced one of the competition’s finest performances. She broke the Commonwealth Games snatch record with 93kg before adding 113kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 206kg, another Games record that secured her the gold medal.
India’s Gyaneshwari Yadav won silver with a total of 199kg, while Canada’s Rebeka Groulx took bronze with 178kg.
Lawal completed a memorable day by successfully defending her Commonwealth Games title in the women’s 58kg event. She dominated from the opening lift, setting a Games record of 103kg in the snatch before adding 126kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 229kg, rewriting the Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total.
Canada’s Ann-Sophie Taschereau claimed silver with 215kg, while Australia’s Lani Tracey finished with bronze on 196kg.
Nigeria’s medal haul was further boosted by Ruth Asuquo Nyong, whose determined performance earned her a silver medal in the women’s 48kg category on Sunday. Favour Agboro also impressed despite finishing fourth, missing out on a medal by the narrowest of margins after a courageous display that underlined the depth of Nigeria’s weightlifting team.
Reacting to the performances, President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr Ibrahim Abdul, described the achievements as the result of careful planning, quality preparation and the strong partnership between the federation and the National Sports Commission.
“These victories are a clear reflection of what can be achieved through proper planning, teamwork and support. The synergy between the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation and the National Sports Commission, led by the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, provided our athletes with quality preparation through our camping programme in Nigeria before the final training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland,” Dr Abdul said.
“The athletes have justified that investment with these outstanding performances and record-breaking victories. We are equally delighted that athletes who excel are being rewarded immediately, which serves as additional motivation for everyone representing Nigeria. I also congratulate Ruth Asuquo Nyong for her silver medal and commend Favour Agboro for his fighting spirit despite narrowly missing the podium. Their performances have also done Nigeria proud.”
Dr Abdul reserved special praise for the federation’s technical crew, led by NWF Technical Director Sefiya Onubaye and Chief Luke Ibeh, for their commitment throughout the preparation period.
“I must commend our coaches and technical officials for the tremendous work they have done. Their commitment, discipline and attention to detail have played a major role in these achievements. We remain confident that the remaining members of Team Nigeria will continue this impressive run and make the country even prouder.”
There are still three more Weightlifters to compete for Team Nigeria: Adedapo Opadeji will compete in the Men’s 79kg tonight while Mary Taiwo Osijo (Women’s 86kg) and Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele (Women’s 63kg) will also strive to increase Nigeria’s medal haul.
Photo: Lawal
Extrasportnigeria 
Leave a comment