Nigerian weightlifters, along with their officials, have landed in Egypt for the highly anticipated 2024 Africa Senior Weightlifting Championship. The team, consisting of four lifters and four officials, arrived in Cairo on Saturday to participate in this prestigious event, which is also the qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games. Ismailia will play host to the championship, commencing with the grand opening ceremony today and concluding on February 11.
The team comprises three women and one man, all set to showcase their strength and skill. In the women’s categories, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal and Adijat Adenike Olarinoye will compete in the 59kg category, while Joy Ogbonne Eze will represent Nigeria in the 71kg category. Umoafia Edidiong Joseph will participate in the 73kg men’s category.
Accompanying the athletes are three coaches – Janet Ali, Abdulsalam Kayode, and Onubaye Sefiat – and a referee, Iquaibom Lawrence. Nigeria’s quest for glory will begin on February 6th, starting with Rafiatu Lawal and Adijat Olarinoye’s competitions in the 59kg women’s category at 12 noon local time. Umoafia Edidiong will follow suit in the 73kg men’s category at 3 pm. Joy Eze will conclude Nigeria’s participation on February 7th in the 71kg women’s category at 10 am.
It is worth noting that in the last edition of the Championship held in Tunisia, Nigeria secured a remarkable tally of 12 medals, including three gold, seven silver, and two bronze. The Nigerian weightlifters will also be eyeing another Olympic Games qualifier as they gear up for the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, from March 31 to April 11, 2024.
Following the conclusion of the last qualifier, the final list of athletes who will represent their country in the 2024 Paris Games will be disclosed through the IWF World Rankings. Nigeria’s weightlifting team is poised to exhibit its prowess and determination on the global stage, striving to secure a place at the prestigious 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
