African Games: Nigeria weightlifters begin quest for medals today

Nigeria Weightlifting team will begin their quest to win medals at the ongoing 2023 Africa Games in Ghana on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

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Made up of 12 lifters including six female and six male, the team will begin their competition on Saturday with two women and a man featuring in different categories.

In the opening competition which starts with the 45kg women’s category, Morufat Folarin will compete by 11 am while 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Adijat Adenike Olarinoye will compete in the 55kg category by 5 pm. Same time, King Kalu, featuring in the 55kg men’s category will be in action on Saturday.

Nigeria came second in the 2019 edition of the Africa Games behind Egypt with 50 medals made up of 16 gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze.

The lifters expressed optimism going into this year’s game to better their outing four years ago.

Nigeria has remained a dominant force in Weightlifting in Africa with the 2019 African Games gold medallist in the -59kg category, Rafiatu Lawal, 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Adijat Adenike Olarinoye as well as Edidiong Umoafia who is making his debut all expected to push for Nigeria’s medals in Accra.

The Weightlifting event which is held at the University of Ghana, Legon, will last for seven days, between Friday, March 8 and 15, 2024.