Six Nigerian Lifters Set For Glory At 2025 Africa Weightlifting Championship In Mauritius
Nigeria is once again on the move in the world of weightlifting as six determined lifters jet out for the 2025 Africa Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius.
The squad, made up of four female and two male lifters, departed from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by 10pm aboard Kenya Airlines, with a brief stopover in Nairobi before heading to the island nation.
The female contingent includes Didih Onome Omolola (55kg), Lawal Rafiatu Folashade (59kg), Ayodele Ruth Imoleayo (64kg), and Matthew Sarah Ovayioza (76kg), while the male lifters are Tuesday Emmanuel (67kg) and Umoafia Edidiong Joseph (73kg).
They will compete across six categories in the continent’s biggest weightlifting event running from April 20 to 28.
Action begins Thursday, with Omolola and Folashade opening Nigeria’s campaign in the morning session, followed by Emmanuel and Umoafia in the afternoon.
The country’s outing wraps up Friday with Imoleayo and Ovayioza lifting in the women’s 64kg and 76kg categories respectively.
Nigeria heads to Mauritius buoyed by a strong showing at the 2024 edition in Egypt, where the team bagged 11 medals—six gold and five silver.
All eyes are on the lifters as they aim to once again hoist the green-white-green atop the medal table.
