By Daily Sports Nigeria on August 16, 2025

Team Nigeria has arrived in Ahmedabad, India, for the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship, a week-long competition that also serves as a qualifier for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nigerian contingent comprises 12 lifters across multiple categories, with a mix of debutants and experienced campaigners set to showcase the country’s strength on the international stage.

Among them are Ruth Asuquo (women’s 48kg) and Edidiong Umoafia (men’s 67kg), both from Akwa Ibom State. While Asuquo will be making her international debut, Umoafia returns for his second championship, having first competed in Uzbekistan in 2021, where he qualified for Birmingham 2022 and went on to win bronze.

The full squad includes Omolola Onome (women’s 53kg), Favour Agboro (men’s 65kg), Rafiatu Lawal and Ruth Ayodele (both women’s 58kg), Islamiyat Yusuf (women’s 69kg), Adeda Adelaka (men’s 79kg), Sarah Matthew (women’s 77kg), Brenda Uchenna (women’s 86kg), Mary Osijo (women’s +86kg) and Lucky Joseph (men’s +110kg).

Optimism surrounds the Nigerian camp, with Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey, praising the inclusion of Asuquo and Umoafia as consistent with the state’s youth development vision under Governor Umo Eno.

“The Governor expects Akwa Ibom youths to rise to their full potential in their chosen fields. Ruth and Edidiong have already shown they can be role models, and we are confident they will qualify for Glasgow,” Bassey said.

“We urge them to compete fairly, uphold the rules and carry themselves as worthy ambassadors throughout their stay in India.”

Nigeria’s pedigree in the sport remains strong, with the country’s lifters having claimed multiple medals at continental and global competitions over the years. Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, urged the team to sustain that legacy, saying, “Our lifters have consistently proven their strength and discipline, and I have no doubt they will make the nation proud again.”

The 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship runs from August 25 to 30 in Ahmedabad, while the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2nd.

Source Punch Ng

Posted August 26, 2025

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