Nigeria Wins Three More Gold at Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships

By Arinzech Chukwunonso

Nigeria’s weightlifters continued their fine run of form at the ongoing 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, India, clinching three gold medals and one bronze on Thursday, August 28, to reinforce the nation’s rising dominance in the sport.

Islamiyat Yusuf was the star of the day, powering to victory in the women’s 69kg category with a flawless performance. She recorded 105kg in the snatch and 131kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with a combined total of 236kg to secure gold in commanding fashion.

Teen sensation Sarah Matthew followed with a double triumph in the women’s 77kg division, winning both the junior and senior titles. Her lifts of 108kg (snatch) and 128kg (clean and jerk) gave her an identical 236kg total, earning her two gold medals and underlining her status as one of Nigeria’s brightest emerging talents.

In the men’s 79kg event, Adedapo Adeleke Opadeji battled fiercely to take bronze, finishing behind India’s Ajaya Babu (gold) and Malaysia’s Muhammad Erry Hidayat (silver).

The latest successes build on Wednesday’s strong showing, where African Games champion Joseph Umoafia narrowly missed out on gold in the men’s 71kg, settling for silver with a total lift of 316kg, just one kilogram behind India’s Ajith Narayana. In the women’s 63kg class, Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele lifted a combined 212kg to clinch bronze.

Team Nigeria had already opened their medal account earlier in the week, with Ruth Asuquo Nyong claiming silver and Omolola Onome striking gold on Tuesday.

So far, Nigeria’s contingent has amassed four gold, two silver, and two bronze medals at the 30th edition of the championships, with more athletes still set to compete. The impressive haul has thrust the nation into the international spotlight, raising hopes for an even larger medal tally as the tournament progresses.