The Technical Committee member of the Weightlifting Federation of Africa, Lawrence Iquaibom has assured that Nigeria’s Weightlifters would excel at the ongoing African Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius.
The re-elected WFA Technical Committee member affirmed that the country’s lifters had the best of preparations for the championship and that based on their previous performances, he expects Nigeria to finish in the top two at the end of the competition on Sunday.
“I can confirm that they are ready for the competition. I know that they are going to lift up to expectations because if we don’t finish first we shall end the championship in second spot with regards to weightlifting in Africa,” Iquaibom told NWF Media from Mauritius.
“We are going to win plenty of medals because three medals would be awarded in all the categories. I believe that all our lifters will return to Nigeria with medals.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Weightlifters to the African Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius will begin their chase for medals on Thursday with four of the country’s six lifters expected to be in action.
The opening ceremony of the African Weightlifting Championship was held in Moka, Mauritius on Wednesday with all the participating countries showcasing their lifters and officials to mark the start of the competition.
After the opening ceremony, the championship began with the Women’s 45kg and 49kg categories also on Wednesday evening.
It will be the turn of Nigeria’s Weightlifters to light the country’s faces with good news starting from 13.00 hours local time when Onome Omolola Didih goes for the top medals at stake in the women’s 55kg category on the Day 2 of hostilities.
Around the same time on Thursday also, serial African and Commonwealth Games Champion, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal will also strive to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians in the women’s 59kg cadre.
As from 16:00 hours local time, two other Weightlifters: Emmanuel Tuesday and Edidiong Joseph Umoafia will also be eager to bring laurels to Nigeria in the Men’s 67kg and 73kg categories in that order in the evening session.
Three medals are available for grabs in each category and just like they have performed in previous editions, the Nigeria’s representatives are set for podium finish in all the six categories they entered for again all other things being equal.
Tunde Liadi
NWF Media
23rd April, 2025
