Nigeria Dominates Africa Senior Weightlifting Championship with Nine Gold Medals in Egypt
Oru Leonard
Nigeria’s women weightlifters delivered a stunning performance at the 2026 Africa Senior Weightlifting Championship and 16th Mediterranean Cup in Ismailia, Egypt, winning nine gold medals to place the country at the top of the medal standings after Day 2 of the competition.
The trio of Ruth Nyong Asuquo, Onome Omolola Didih and Rafiat Afolashade Lawal swept all available gold medals in their respective categories to give Team Nigeria a dominant early lead at the continental championship.
Competing in the 48kg category, Asuquo claimed three gold medals with an impressive display of strength and technique, while Didih repeated the feat in the 53kg class. Lawal also completed a clean sweep in the 58kg division, ensuring Nigeria finished the day with nine gold medals overall.
The remarkable outing has further boosted Nigeria’s quest for qualification spots for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as the championship doubles as an official qualifying event for the Games.
Nigeria is participating in the championship with a relatively small contingent of 10 athletes, making the team’s rise to the summit of the medal table even more significant.
The performances also reinforce Nigeria’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in women’s weightlifting on the African continent, with the athletes continuing to demonstrate consistency and dominance at major international competitions.
More details are expected as the championship progresses in Egypt.
(NWL Media)
