Team Nigeria recorded a major milestone at the ongoing Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, India, as Didih Onome Omolola clinched gold in the women’s 53kg category on Tuesday.

 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has since lauded the lifter’s golden feat, describing it as the beginning of a medal rush for Nigeria at the prestigious international event.

 

Onome’s victory comes barely 24 hours after Ruth Nyong Asuquo secured silver in the 48kg junior women’s category on Monday, continuing Nigeria’s strong showing in the tournament which serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

 

An elated NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised Onome’s performance and expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s prospects, noting that strategic government support has made early preparations and success possible.

 

“This championship will serve as qualifiers for the Commonwealth Games next year, meaning it’s imperative to excel to earn the right to participate,” Dikko said. “It’s for this reason we ensured a dedicated budget line in the Appropriation Act to support this process, which was graciously approved by Mr. President.”

 

He added, “Weightlifting has always been our sport of comparative advantage and we are expecting a harvest of gold medals beginning with Onome. We have been keeping tabs with the contingent in India and getting regular updates. This same team finished top at the African Weightlifting Championship in Mauritius earlier this year, so they can be termed African champions.”

 

Similarly, NSC Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, echoed Dikko’s optimism, highlighting the team’s pedigree and consistency.

 

“I was with this team in Mauritius when they won the African championships and I can vouch for them. We have a generation of podium performers in the current weightlifting set-up, and the Commonwealth Championship is another platform for them to conquer the world,” he stated.

 

As the championship progresses, expectations are high that more Nigerian lifters will step onto the podium, further cementing the country’s dominance in the sport.