By Ikenna Nwokedi

Team Edo showcased their dominance in weightlifting event at the ongoing 9th edition of the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State finishing tops to emerge as the overall champions.

Team Edo scooped a total of 12 medals comprising of 9 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals to emerge tops; followed closely by Team Akwa Ibom in second position with a total of 9 medals comprising of 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals, just as Team Abia finished in third place with 3 gold ahead of Team Niger who settled for fourth place with 1 gold and 2 silver medals.

Teams Enugu, Oyo, and the FCT shared fifth position with three silver medals each, while Lagos finished eighth with three medals comprising of 2 silver and 1 bronze. Imo claimed ninth spot with 1 silver and 2 bronze medals, while Plateau, Delta and Osun completed the top 12; finishing 10th, 11th and 12th positions respectively.

Edo’s dominance was most evident in the women’s weight classes, where they swept all nine gold medals on offer. Favour Cornelius (44kg), Esther Amarachi Chijoke (48kg) and Beauty Akpore (53kg) each clinched three gold medals to power Edo to the top.

In the men’s division, Akwa Ibom proved their strength, winning five of the nine gold medals available. Destiny Okon Bassey (56kg) secured two gold medals, while Goodness Samuel Okon (65kg) bagged three to highlight their dominance.

Speaking to sports journalists at the end of the event, President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Ibrahim Aladi, commended the outstanding performances of the athletes, assuring that newly discovered talents would be given more opportunities to develop and make the sport their own. Dr. Aladi reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to building a steady pool of weightlifters capable of representing Nigeria at both national and international levels.

On her part, NWF Technical Official, Sefiya Ahuozia, lauded the quality of competition at the National Youth Games in Asaba, and expressed confidence that with the level of talent on display, Nigeria’s future in weightlifting remains bright.