The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has confirmed the participation of Nigeria’s two weightlifters for the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.
The duo of two times Commonwealth Games champions, Folashade Lawal (59kg) and Joy Ogbonne Eze (71kg) made the qualification mark in a statement from the IWF.
According to the final Olympic Qualification ranking, two times Commonwealth Games Champion, Folashade Lawal is currently ranked 8 in the world with 227kg (Total) in the women’s 59kg weight class.
In the women’s 71kg, two-time Commonwealth Games Champion, Joy Ogbonne Eze is ranked 9th in the world with 239kg (Total).
“We are very happy and excited to present the list of excellent athletes for the Olympic Games in Paris. It has been a long but rewarding road for all those trying to qualify and I sincerely congratulate all those lifters involved in this process,” IWF President, Mohammed Jalood, said. “A special tribute is due to all those that finally secured their place in the Games”.
President of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr Ibrahim Abdul informed that both athletes had been in camp for a month before the commencement of the Federal Government camping exercise.
He further revealed that the coaches and technical crew are working round the clock to ensure Nigeria returns with medals from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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“On our part as a federation, our two athletes, Folashade Lawal and Joy Ogbonne, who are the only two Weightlifters we have for the Olympics, have been in camp since April 24th,” he said. “The moment they returned from the Africa Games, we didn’t allow them much time. We sent them to camp, at the High Performance Centre, here in Abuja and they have been doing well.”
He added: “First and foremost, the Federal Government, through the Minister for Sports, Senator John Enoh has opened general camping for all the athletes who will be participating in the Olympics. We at the Weightlifting Federation want to use this medium to thank the minister for his efforts in starting camping for the athletes.
“The reason we started camping early is because we want to keep them in a competitive mood. You will recall that both of them won three gold medals each at the African Games, so we felt it is important we don’t allow them to lose their competitive spirit.”