Nigerian weightlifting sensation Edidiong Umoafia continued his remarkable run at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024 in Ogun State by leading Akwa Ibom’s charge with a stunning triple gold haul in the men’s 73kg category.
Umoafia is no stranger to multiple gold medals on the national stage. His journey to greatness has been marked by consistent top performances: in 2018, he claimed two golds and one silver at the National Sports Festival in Abuja, while in 2020 he swept three gold medals and set new National Records at the festival in Edo State.
Just months after an outstanding performance at the 2025 African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius—where he lifted 147kg in the snatch, 172kg in the clean and jerk, and totaled an impressive 319kg—
Umoafia proved he remains one of Nigeria’s finest weightlifters on the continent.
Umoafia during the African championship in Egypt. Photo Credit: X
While Umoafia dominated for Akwa Ibom, Lagos State celebrated the success of a talented mother-daughter duo in Ronke and Florence Olarinoye. Ronke claimed gold in the women’s 45kg snatch with a lift of 65kg and secured bronze in the total (140kg), finishing second overall in her category.
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Her 15-year-old daughter Florence earned a silver medal in the 59kg weight class, adding to her previous three gold medals at the 2023 National Youth Games and a bronze at the 2022 National Sports Festival.
Both are related to the multiple African and Commonwealth Games champion Adijat Olarinoye, whose legacy inspires the family’s continued success in the sport.
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Adding to Akwa Ibom’s medal haul, Blessing Emmanuel secured another gold in the women’s AYO event, while Vanger Bem Richard won silver in the men’s AYO event. Edikan Cletus, silver medallist at the 2022 National Sports Festival, claimed gold in the men’s Kung Fu event.
After two days of competition, Akwa Ibom State boasts a total of 10 medals: 6 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze, reflecting a strong and diverse sporting presence.
