#Gateway Games: Bayelsa dominates weightlifting, bags 9 gold medals on final day

…Delta, Edo, Kano impress as NWF President commends rising stars

Team Bayelsa emerged the undisputed powerhouse in weightlifting on the final day of competition at the Ogun 2024 National Sports Festival, claiming nine gold medals to consolidate their dominance in the sport.

The impressive haul came from stellar performances across multiple categories at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Sagamu, where the weightlifting event was held.

Delta State secured three gold medals, while Edo added two golds and Kano picked up the remaining gold on offer in the five weight classes contested: Women’s +87kg, Men’s 96kg, 102kg, 109kg, and +109kg.

In the Women’s +87kg category, Caroline Albert of Bayelsa lifted her way to three gold medals with a snatch of 100kg, clean & jerk of 120kg, and a combined total of 220kg.

Sandra Ndukwe of Rivers claimed three silver medals, while Benue’s Joy Yakubu earned bronze in all three lifts.

Desmond Akano of Team Delta retained his title in the Men’s 96kg, repeating his triple gold medal feat from the last festival in Asaba with lifts of 141kg (snatch), 180kg (clean & jerk), and a 321kg total.

Edo’s Dirisu Oseni and Niger’s Marvellous Robinson shared silver and bronze medals in the category, while Cross River’s Solomon Chinedu also made the podium.

In the Men’s 102kg class, Bayelsa’s Adeyemi Abayomi powered through to a gold treble with lifts of 140kg (snatch), 175kg (clean & jerk), and a 315kg total.

Other podium finishers included Bauchi’s Mohammed Isyaku, Imo’s Ebubechi Onyedikachi Akosa, Ekiti’s Tope Oluwafemi, and Plateau’s Stephen Samuel.

Edo’s Daniel Abdulihen stood out in the Men’s 109kg by winning two golds and one silver.

He lifted 164kg in the clean & jerk and recorded a total of 301kg. Kano’s Lucky Orobosa took gold in the snatch with a 147kg lift, while Kano’s Jamiu Yahaya Abdullahi earned silver and bronze medals in other categories.

Bayelsa continued their sweep in the Men’s +109kg with Lucky Joseph claiming another set of three golds (145kg snatch, 175kg clean & jerk, 320kg total). Edo’s Dr. Benjamin Idiakheua Agboghidi, who recently returned from a course abroad, won three silver medals with a 137kg snatch, 163kg clean & jerk, and 300kg total.

Delta’s Abdul Abdulhakeem Tijani collected the bronze medals in the same weight class.

Earlier on Tuesday night, Delta’s Bosa Uchenna caused an upset in the Women’s 81kg category by defeating favourite Taiwo Liadi of Team Oyo to grab three gold medals.

In the Men’s 81kg, Osun’s Edim Emmanuel took home another three golds, while Daniel Christopher of Plateau impressed spectators with a dominant performance and triple gold finish.

Reacting to the overall performances, the President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, commended the high level of competition and promised that the federation would keep close tabs on standout athletes.

“We’ve seen new discoveries and young lifters with tremendous potential. We’ll be working with state associations to ensure proper monitoring and grooming,” Dr. Abdul said.

He thanked the board members, referees, coaches, the NWF Secretariat, and the media for their support and professionalism throughout the event.

“I must say it was a complete success for us in the Weightlifting event,” he added.

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