Team Nigeria has sent a clear message to the rest of the continent; they came to conquer. At the ongoing 2025 African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Mauritius, the powerhouse nation has seized an early lead in the medal standings, delivering a commanding performance that has set the tone for the rest of the competition.

After just one day of action, Nigeria’s weightlifters have hauled in an impressive seven gold, four silver, and one bronze medal an explosive start that has lit up the championship arena.

Leading the charge are Rafiatu Lawal and Didih Onome, who both snatched triple gold in the 59kg and 55kg weight categories respectively. Lawal, already a star from her 2022 Commonwealth Games triumph, showcased her trademark finesse and raw strength to dominate her event from start to finish. Onome matched that energy with a stunning sweep in her category, proving that Nigeria’s talent pool runs deep.

Adding to the medal surge, Edidiong Joseph claimed one gold and two silver medals in the 73kg category, while Tuesday Emmanuel chipped in with two silver and one bronze, underlining Nigeria’s depth and consistency across divisions.

The hunt for more hardware isn’t over. Medal hopefuls Omolola Matthew and Sarah Ovayioza are still in contention, with Sarah set to compete on Friday. At the time of this report, Omolola was still battling it out on the platform, with Team Nigeria and fans back home eagerly watching for updates.

With the championship running until April 28, all eyes remain on Nigeria as they continue their medal rush, aiming to extend their dominance and cement their legacy as Africa’s weightlifting powerhouse.