By Akinwale Kasali
It was a moment of magic for Nigeria’s Powerlifter, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, as she smashed the 2022 Commonwealth Games record in Birmingham, England, in the 59kg category, to win a Gold medal at the event.
The 25-Year Old Lawal, lifted 90kg at the snatch category, setting a new Commonwealth Games record and lifted 110kg at the Clean and Jerk event at the first attempt, then at the second attempt lifted 115kg to set the new Games record, and then on the third attempt set another Commonwealth Games World Record, lifting 116kg.
England’s Jessica Gordon Brown won silver – 197kg while Canada’s Tali Darsigny claimed bronze: 196kg.
A combined 206kg is a new Commonwealth Games Record in the women’s 59kg weightlifting event.
Her victory came a few hours after Team Nigeria celebrated the bronze medal won by Edidiong Joseph Umoafia in the men’s 67kg Weightlifting event.
Umoafia had given Nigeria her second medal in Birmingham, after lifting 290kg to finish third behind 19-year-old Lalrinnunga Jeremy from India, who lifted a total of 300kg to emerge winner and claim the gold medal, while Samoa’s Vaipava Ioane finished second to claim the silver medal with a lift of 293kg.
On Saturday night, Adijat Olarinoye won Gold in the Weightlifting event, in the 55kg category, also setting a new Commonwealth Games record in the process, on her debut.
The 23-year-old clinched gold with a lift of 203kg – 92kg in Snatch and 111 in Clean & Jerk.
In a congratulatory statement on Sunday by Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, the Governor hailed the Osun-born weightlifter for her impressive performance.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Osun, I am very delighted to congratulate a distinguished daughter of Osun, Adijat Olarinoye, for winning Nigeria’s first gold medal at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham,” the statement read.
“Nigeria and our state, in particular, are proud of your stellar and record-setting performance. Your success is no doubt a reward for your hard work and determination over the years. We are happy to be associated with you and wish you all the best as you continue to represent the nation with pride and courage.”
