Paris Olympics: Rafiatu Lawal Targets Podium Finish In Weightlifting

Paris Olympics: Rafiatu Lawal Targets Podium Finish In Weightlifting 

Precious Oham

One of Nigeria’s weightlifters to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Rafiatu Lawal remains confident of a podium finishing despite facing the rest of the world at the quadrennial event for the first time, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Team Nigeria women’s weightlifter, Lawal assured Nigerians the weightlifters would put up their very best in their maiden appearance at the Olympic Games.

The weightlifter said she's eager to join the list of Olympians who have won Olympic Games medals in the past for Nigeria particularly in weightlifting. 

Nigeria has won only two medals in weightlifting since the start of her participation in the four year competition in Helsinki, Finland in 1952.

Lawal, who has ruled Africa and Commonwealth Games in successive competitions booked a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France in the 59kg while Joy Eze is also through to the Olympics in the 71kg having also dominated Africa in her weight class.

Lawal lifted a combined total lift of 227kg, with a snatch of 101kg as well as 126kg in Clean and Jerk in the 2024 IWF World Championship in Thailand set a new African record in the women’s 59kg and also picked her Olympics ticket.

 “I am super excited to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; I have never felt this happy in my life since I started competing. It is also a thing of joy to set another African record en route to the Olympic Games.

“I am delighted to be on the training tour in Germany and this will help me to hit form before the start of the Olympic Games.

“My motivating factor is from my childhood. I have always had it in mind that I want to become one of the most successful sports personalities in Africa when I grow up. I am happy the coast is becoming clearer."

The Weightlifting event at the Paris Olympic will commence on Wednesday, August 7.