Rising star Chinaza Cecelia Ezenwa yesterday opened Nigeria’s medal account at the ongoing 2025 Africa Weightlifting Youth/Junior Championship in Accra by clinching two gold and one silver medal in the 48kg youth category.
Competing against the continent’s best young lifters, Ezenwa showcased remarkable strength, composure and technical brilliance to emerge as one of the standout athletes of the competition so far.
The championship, organized by the Weightlifting Federation of Africa (WFA) in partnership with the Ghana Weightlifting Federation, began on August 15th and will climax August 26th.
Nigeria is being represented at the competition by two athletes: Ezenwa Chinaza Cecilia (48kg youth) and Florence Oluwadamilare Olarinoye (58kg youth), who were accompanied by Coach Odurinde Ruth Jumoke and Technical Official Onubaye Sefiya.
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While Ezenwa has already delivered Nigeria’s first set of medals, attention now turns to Florence Olarinoye, who is set to compete in her 58kg weight category today , August 19th.
Dr Ibrahim Abdul, who was recently re-elected for a second term as President of the NWF, has continued to demonstrate visionary leadership, making it a priority to invest in the future of Nigerian weightlifting.
His support has not only given these athletes the opportunity to compete on an international stage but has also inspired confidence in the next generation of lifters.
According to an official communication from Dorathy Benard Okpo, Assistant Secretary of the NWF, arrangements for Nigeria’s participation were made promptly upon invitation from the WFA, ensuring seamless representation at the championship.