How I won Commonwealth Games gold — Umoafia

Team Nigeria’s lifter, Edidiong Joseph Umoafia, who won a gold medal in the men’s weightlifting at the ongoing 23rd Commonwealth Games in Scotland, has opened up on the factors which aided his feat in Glasgow.

Recall that Umoafia, who competed in the 67kg category, settled for bronze four years ago in Birmingham, as he made the podium this time in golden colour in the higher weight category.

On Monday, Umoafia emerged victorious in the men’s 71kg weightlifting event at Glasgow 2026, thereby improving on his third-place finish at Birmingham 2022.

“I’m happy; this achievement came through a dint of hard work, sheer determination and the zeal to do better with each passing competition.

“I trained harder after winning the bronze in Birmingham four years ago and took special drills regularly to ensure I get better at Glasgow 2026.

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“It was not easy for me, but I had to try my hardest after the last Commonwealth Games. After I won the bronze in Birmingham, I went back and trained hard … every day, every chance, every minute. I tried to use my time well. I used all my thinking for this moment, for this day,” the Akwa Ibom State-born lifter said after receiving his gold medal.

Umoafia, who won the silver medal in the men’s 67kg at the 2021 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, also noted that the monetary reward for every medallist by the authorities also spurred him to strive for the best effort at Glasgow 2026, especially with $10,000 up for grabs by any member of the contingent who wins a gold medal.

Meanwhile, Umoafia expressed delight at the cash bonus package that accompanied his gold medal feat.

The 2023 African Games gold medallist said that he wants to get more training equipment and a car, adding that he will also invest in his career to build on the success achieved at Glasgow 2026.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has already presented each of Team Nigeria’s six gold medallists so far with $10,000, made up of an instant $5,000 cash reward and $5,000 paid directly into the athlete’s bank account, likewise the silver medallists at the Games.