NWF President, Ibrahim Abdul, highlights the gains of Paris 2024 Olympics

Posted : 19 August 2024

The President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, has reiterated that important lessons have been learned from the country’s less-than-stellar performance at the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Dr. Abdul also took the opportunity to commend the valiant efforts of two of his weightlifters: Rafiatu Folashade Lawal and Joy Ogbonne Eze. Both lifters delivered commendable performances in their respective weight classes but narrowly missed out on medals.

Lawal, who competed in the women’s 59kg category, finished 5th overall after a spectacular display, including achieving a personal best. The 2023 Africa Games champion lifted a combined total of 230kg, with 100kg in the snatch and 130kg in the clean and jerk. She was just 11kg away from the gold medalist, Luo Shifang of China, who won with a total lift of 241kg. Lawal was also only 5kg short of the silver medal, which was secured by Charron Maude of Canada with a total of 235kg. Taiwanese weightlifter Kuo Hsing-Chun clinched the bronze with a total of 235kg.

Eze, the 2019 and 2023 Africa Games champion, lifted 101kg in the snatch and 131kg in the clean and jerk, totaling 231kg. Unfortunately, this was not enough to secure a medal, and she finished 7th overall in her debut Olympic Games.

Reacting to the performances of both weightlifters, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul praised their efforts and resilience, noting that they performed commendably in their Olympic debut. He emphasized that with better preparation and more exposure ahead of future competitions, both lifters and their peers have the potential to excel in the sport.

He expressed gratitude to the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for the release of funds for the Olympic Games. Dr. Abdul also commended the hard work of the Sports Ministry, led by Senator John Enoh, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), chaired by Engineer Habu Gumel.

"It was not the Olympic Games we had hoped for, but I must commend both weightlifters for their impressive performances in Paris. Rafiatu Lawal came very close to securing a medal, while Joy Eze also gave her best," Dr. Abdul told the NWF Media.

"What we have learned from the Olympics is the need for better preparation and more international exposure for our lifters to compete regularly at the highest level. It has been a learning experience for us as a federation, and we will work on improving for future competitions.

"I must extend special thanks to President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his support of sports and the release of funds for the Olympics. The Sports Ministry, under Senator John Enoh, did a commendable job, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), led by Engineer Habu Gumel, ensured proper coordination of all sports during the games."

Dr. Abdul assured that the NWF will soon conduct a thorough review of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and develop a plan to ensure that Nigerian weightlifters receive the best possible support for upcoming competitions.

NWF President, Ibrahim Abdul, highlights the gains of Paris 2024 Olympics

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