Team Nigeria’s weightlifters wrapped up their participation at the 2025 African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius, yesterday with a total haul of 18 medals—13 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze—cementing Nigeria’s status as a continental powerhouse in the sport.

A contingent of six weightlifters, four female, two male, and two coaches represented the country at the continental championship.

Nigeria’s final day of competition saw Sarah Ovayioza deliver a show-stopping performance in the women’s 76kg weight class, lifting a combined total of 237kg in the snatch, clean, and jerk.

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Her flawless execution earned the nation three more gold medals and drew roaring applause from the crowd as she closed out Nigeria’s campaign in style.

Earlier in the tournament, Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele dazzled in the women’s 64kg category, completing a clean sweep of the three gold medals in her weight class. 

Following suit, Onome Omolola Didih was the star of the 55kg division with another triple-gold performance, dominating her weight class from start to finish (three gold medals).

Two-time African Games gold medallist and reigning Commonwealth Games champion, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, continued her golden streak in the 59kg category. Her lifts of 95kg (snatch) and 118kg (clean and jerk) for a total of 213kg secured yet another hat-trick of gold medals for Team Nigeria.

In the men’s events, Umoafia Joseph Edidiong powered through the 73kg category with a 147kg snatch to win gold, while narrowly missing out on a gold rush with two silvers in the clean and jerk.

Without minding what day of the week it was, Tuesday Emmanuel contributed to the medal count in the 67kg category, bagging two silver medals and a bronze after a combined lift of 276kg (130kg snatch, 146kg clean & jerk).

Although the championship continues until April 28, Nigeria’s athletes have concluded their events, proudly leaving the stage with one of the most impressive medal tallies recorded in recent history.

The team’s performance yet again showcases Nigeria’s continued dominance and rising momentum in international weightlifting.

It will be recalled that in the last edition, Nigeria amassed an impressive haul of six gold and four silver medals to rank among the best in the championship.

However, the contingent took it a step further by winning seven additional gold medals in Moka to bolster Nigeria’s chances of excelling at other International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) ranked competitions.

Meanwhile, the president of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, has attributed the team’s outstanding performance at the Championship to the support from the Federal Government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) led by Malam Shehu Dikko as Chairman and Hon. Bukola Olopade, as Director General.

“Our success is not a coincidence. The NSC gave us all the support we needed to succeed.

“When the DG announced thousands of Dollars in financial incentives, sat with the athletes, shared meals, and took pictures with them- it wasn’t just symbolic. It was a powerful morale booster for all of them. So they competed like warriors- ready to give their all for the nation,” said Abdul.