"You Are A Reflection Of Hard Work, Discipline, Commitment To Excellence," NWF To Rafiatu Lawal

"You Are A Reflection Of Hard Work, Discipline, Commitment To Excellence," NWF To Rafiatu Lawal

Precious Oham

The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) has congratulated Rafiatu Folashade Lawal on her historic performance at the 2025 IWF World Championships in Forde, Norway, where she won three silver medals in the women’s 58kg category, becoming the first Nigerian ever to achieve such a feat at the global stage, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Lawal lifted 101kg in the snatch, 128kg in the clean and jerk, and recorded a total of 229kg, finishing second behind Kim Il-Gyong of North Korea, who claimed three gold medals with a world record total of 236kg,  Olympic champion Kuo Hsing-chun of Chinese Taipei took two bronze with 224kg with Ulrey Miranda Eleanor of the United States getting the remaining bronze medal in the snatch with a lift of 98kg.

Her outstanding performance adds to her impressive track record, having previously won gold medals at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and the 2023 African Games in Accra.

Reacting to the feat, President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Ibrahim Abdul Aladi, expressed immense pride and joy over Lawal’s achievement, describing it as a reflection of her hard work, discipline, and commitment to excellence.

 “Rafiatu has once again proven that Nigerian weightlifters can stand tall on the world stage. She has immersed herself in serious training and preparation to ensure she delivers a performance that will make the nation proud. Her achievement in Norway is a result of resilience, focus, and the relentless pursuit of greatness,” Aladi said.

The NWF President also appreciated the National Sports Commission and the Board Members of the NWF for their continued support and contributions to the growth of weightlifting in Nigeria.

“We are committed to ensuring that our athletes continue to attend international competitions to stay competitive and ensure Nigeria remains a strong force in global weightlifting,” he added.

Lawal’s achievement follows the remarkable performance of Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele, who previously held Nigeria’s best record at the IWF World Championships.

Ayodele, competing in the Women's 64kg weight class, won two silver and one bronze medal at the 2023 IWF World Championships in Saudi Arabia, lifting 100kg in the snatch, 122kg in the clean and jerk, and 222kg in total — a record that Lawal has now surpassed.

Aladi further called on corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to support the Federation’s programs and initiatives, emphasizing that adequate funding is vital to sustain the momentum and prepare athletes for future competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.

"We appeal to the private sector to partner with us in ensuring that our lifters continue to represent Nigeria proudly. With adequate support, we can produce more world champions like Rafiatu Lawal,” Aladi concluded.