Nine Nigerian weightlifters qualify for 2022 Commonwealth Games

Nine Nigeria weightlifters, comprising  seven women and  two men, have qualified for the 2022 Commonwealth Games weightlifting event scheduled for Birmingham, England in July.

According to a statement by the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) media on Wednesday, the weightlifters’ qualifications were confirmed in the March 1, 2022 International Weightlifting Federation, IWF Ranking.

In the ranking released, Adịjat Adenike Olarinoye was ranked first in the 55kg women category while Stellar Peter Kingsley was ranked second in the 49kg women category.

Rafiatu Folashade Lawal was ranked first in the 59kg women category while Islamiyat Adebukdu Yusuf was ranked 4th in 64kg women category.

In other women categories, Joy Ogbonne Eze came second in 82kg, Taiwo Liadi 5th, in 76kg while Osijo Mary Taiwo was ranked 5th in 87kg women.

In the men category, Joseph Umofia Edidiong was ranked 3rd in the 67kg while his compatriot, Emmanuel Appah was ranked 5th in 61kg.

ALSO READ: Weightlifting: Team Nigeria win first gold medal in Commonwealth qualifiers 

Stellar Kingsley got a total of 168 kg in (72 snatch and 96 jerk) to be placed second in 49kg women category and won gold at the Commonwealth Championship in Uzbekistan last year.

Adịjat Adenike Olarinoye, who won a gold in the 2021 Commonwealth Championship as well as silver and bronze in 2021 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Championship in Uzbekistan in December was ranked first in the 55kg women category.

The Commonwealth Games weightlifting event will be held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, from 30 July to 3 August 2022.