Paris 2024 Olympics: Nigeria's Weightlifter, Joy Eze ready for contest on Friday

Posted : 08 August 2024

Nigeria's second representative in the weightlifting event, Joy Ogbonne Eze, will have her Olympic moment of glory on Friday, August 9th, at South Paris Arena 6 inside the Paris Expo Complex in the Women’s 71kg category at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Eze impressed other weightlifters in her weight class at just 15 years old, winning the African Games gold medal in 2019 in Morocco. At 20 years old, she has become a two-time African Champion and is also making her debut at the Olympic Games in Paris.

She earned the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics by securing the necessary ranking points to finish among the top 11 weightlifters in the world. The young athlete is eager to make a significant impact in Paris.

Eze will compete against Olivia Reeves of the United States, a 21-year-old junior world record holder in both the Snatch (115kg lift) and Clean & Jerk (147kg lift), as well as Angie Palacios Dajomes of Ecuador, the current world record holder in Snatch (121kg lift) in the same weight class.

Other competitors in the Women’s 71kg category include: Huei Chen Wen (Chinese Taipei), a Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bronze medalist in the women’s 64kg; Siuzanna Valodzka (Individual Neutral Athletes, AIN); Elena Loredana Toma (Romania); Marie Fegue (France); Leivis Mari Sanchez (Colombia); Neama Said (Egypt); Amanda Da Costa Schott (Brazil); and Jacqueline Nichele (Australia).

Eze stated that she understands what is at stake and is fully prepared for the weight class. She is determined to give her best effort to ensure Nigeria excels in the Women’s 71kg category on Friday.

She expressed that it has always been her dream to compete in the Olympics and is eager to start her Olympic journey with an impressive performance now that her dream has become a reality.

"I am so pleased to have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Having fulfilled a personal wish, I am eager to do my best to secure a medal," Eze said.

The NWF President, Ibrahim Abdul, advised Eze not to put herself under pressure but to focus on recalling her preparations and overcoming any barriers that might hinder her performance.

He assured her that Nigerians are solidly behind her and encouraged her to make her country proud.

"Joy is also a very skilled weightlifter who has demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest level. She has qualified for the Olympics and should use this opportunity to showcase her talent on the world stage," Dr. Abdul stated.

"We are fully behind her and are rooting for her to make the country proud on Friday."

Paris 2024 Olympics: Nigeria's Weightlifter, Joy Eze ready for contest on Friday

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