Tag: Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF)

The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) has announced   the passing of one of its former champions, Gbenga Olupona, who died on Monday, September 15, after a brief illness.

Olupona was a decorated weightlifter who proudly represented Nigeria at major international competitions. He rose to prominence in 2003 when he won three gold medals in the Men’s 56kg category at the First Afro-Asian Games.

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That same year, he shone at the All Africa Games in Abuja, winning one gold and two silver medals. He later added three bronze medals to his collection at the 2007 Games in Algiers, this time competing in the Men’s 62kg category.

Paying tribute, the President of the NWF, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Aladi, described the late champion as “an asset to Nigeria weightlifting whose life was sadly cut short at a time when his wealth of wisdom and experience was greatly needed.” He praised Olupona’s selfless service to the sport and offered prayers for his family.

Similarly, NWF Technical Director and Olupona’s former teammate, Sefiya Onubaye Ahuozia, remembered him as “a jovial, easy-going, and dedicated individual whose absence will be deeply felt within the weightlifting community.”

The Federation extended its heartfelt condolences to Olupona’s family, friends, and the entire Nigerian sports fraternity, affirming that his achievements and legacy will remain an inspiration to future generations of athletes.

The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) has announced that the victorious Team Nigeria contingent to the ongoing 2025 Africa Junior & Youth Weightlifting Championship in Accra, Ghana, will return to the country today.

Representing the nation with pride and distinction, Florence Olarinoye Oluwadamilare (58kg) and Ezenwa Chinaza Cecilia (48kg ) delivered exceptional performances that brought glory to Nigeria on the continental stage.

Olarinoye claimed six  gold medals—three in the Junior and three in the Youth categories—lifting a total of 157kg (71kg in snatch and 86kg in clean and jerk), thereby consolidating her status as a rising star in African weightlifting.

Equally impressive was Ezenwa Chinaza Cecilia, who earned three gold medals in the Youth category after her initial silver medal was upgraded to gold. She lifted a total of 135kg (63kg in snatch and 72kg in clean and jerk), setting the pace for Nigeria’s medal sweep.

Their combined efforts have brought Nigeria’s medal haul at the Championship to a total of nine gold medals, marking one of the nation’s most successful outings at the African Youth/Junior Championship in recent years.

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The NWF  commended Coach Odurinde Ruth Jumoke and Technical Official Onubaye Sefiya for their excellent work and professionalism throughout the competition. Their technical guidance, motivation, and discipline have played a critical role in the team’s outstanding performance.

Special commendation also goes to the President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Aladi, whose leadership continues to set the pace for the sport in the country and even beyond. His commitment to grassroots development and international representation of Nigerian weightlifting continues to bear fruit.

As the championship winds down in Ghana on Friday, August 22, the NWF remains optimistic about the future of Nigerian weightlifting and reiterates its commitment to developing young talents capable of flying the national flag at global competitions.

The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) has informed states participating at the forthcoming National Youth Games to keep abreast of the latest adjustments made by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) regarding body weight categories of athletes coming for the competition.

In a press statement signed by the NWF Secretary General, Melvina Apeh, it stated that the IWF has revised the body weight categories of young athletes and that this will take effect from the National Youth Games billed for Asaba, Delta State later in the year.

In the men’s categories, athletes will now compete in the 56kg, 60kg and 65kg while 44kg, 48kg and 53kg are the weight classes to be competed for in the Women’s cadre at the National Youth Games.

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“I am directed to extend the warm compliments of the weightlifting family to you and to formally inform you that the IWF has revised the competition body weight categories of athletes.

“Going by the above, the upcoming youth Games in Asaba will feature a total of six body weight categories: three each both men and women. Please, find below new body weight for National Youth Games,” Apeh, NWF Secretary General said. “Men: 56kg, 60kg, 65kg Women: 44kg, 48kg, 53kg.

“It is crucial that your preparation in weightlifting events for the NYG reflect these new body weight categories and we kindly request all state weightlifting Associations and stakeholders to disseminate this information to ensure every one is aware of the changes.

“Please, note that any state who are yet to complete payment of their affiliation fee from 2022 till date will be sanctioned from participating in the competition and all federations activities.”

The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) has released the timeline for its Electoral Congress fixed for August 9^th  in Abuja.

The timetable announcing the electoral process for the election of new Board members into the NWF Executive Committee, indicates that picking of nomination forms commenced from yesterday  (Thursday), July 3 and will end on Wednesday, July 9.

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According the memo signed by the NWF Secretary-General, Melvina Apeh, it further indicated July 20 as date for submission of list of candidates by the Electoral Committee to the NWF Board for ratification. Whereas Submission of lists of representatives from NAPHERS, NAWIS as well as institutions will take place on Friday, August 1.

The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation’s 2025 Electoral Congress will hold on Saturday, August 9^th .

It could be recalled that the Electoral Congress that brought the NWF Board under the transformative leadership of Dr Ibrahim Abdul Aladi was held on September 30, 2021.

The President, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr Ibrahim Abdul , has lauded the athletes that represented the country at the 2024 IWF World Weightlifting Championship for their good ambassadorial display in Bahrain.

Nigeria won two bronze medals at the championship held in Manama, Bahrain and the NWF President expressed his delight at the feat recorded by the two weightlifters who  were attending  their first international competition. 

 “We are proud of them and we believe they will continue to improve from their performances. The World Championship is a global podium where the athletes are exposed to excel,” he said.

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The 2024 World Weightlifting Championship which began on December 6, ended on December 15th while  the athletes has since  returned last  Friday.

Nigeria won two medals at the just concluded 2024 IWF World Weightlifting Championship held in Manama, Bahrain. 

Didih Onome Omolala competed in 55kg class lifted 90kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk had a total of 200kg, narrowly missed the podium as she finished 5th  on the table.  

On her part, Sarah Ovayioza Matthew who featured in the 71kg category claimed a bronze medal after snatching 110kg in her class, had 135kg in clean and jerk, then won another bronze in total with 245kg lift, thus earning Nigeria her two medals at the global event with 25 countries participating.

It could be recalled that in the build up to the World Weightlifting Championship that Sarah won all the three gold medals in her category at the 2024 Engr. Habu Gumel National Open Weightlifting Championship held in Abuja from 1st to 3rd December, setting two new national records in the process.