Nigeria Secures Third Place With 29 Medals At African Weightlifting Championship

Nigeria Secures Third Place With 29 Medals At African Weightlifting Championship

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria concluded its campaign at the 2026 African Senior Weightlifting Championships in Egypt with an impressive haul of 29 medals, reinforcing the country’s status as one of the continent’s leading forces in the sport.

The Nigerian contingent, made up of 10 athletes and three officials, secured 14 gold, 13 silver and two bronze medals during the championship, which began on May 10 in Ismailia and ended on Saturday, May 17, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The team added five more medals on the final days of competition through Mary Osijo and Lucky Joseph.

Competing in the women’s 79kg category, Osijo claimed three silver medals after lifting 95kg in the snatch and 116kg in the clean and jerk for a combined total of 211kg.

In the men’s +110kg category, Lucky Joseph won two bronze medals with lifts of 145kg in the snatch and 170kg in the clean and jerk, recording a total of 315kg.

Nigeria’s female weightlifters finished third overall on the continent after amassing 12 gold and six silver medals.

Among the standout performers for Team Nigeria were Ruth Asuquo Nyong, Onome Omolola Didih, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal and Liadi Taiwo, who each won three gold medals in their respective categories.

In the men’s division, Favour Omovigho Agboro and Edidiong Joseph Umoafia each secured one gold and two silver medals, while Adedapo Adeleke Opadeji claimed three silver medals.

Nigeria’s overall medal tally at the championship stood at:

Gold: 14

Silver: 13

Bronze: 2

The Nigerian delegation is expected to return to the country on Monday following the conclusion of the championship in Egypt.