Nigeria weightlifter, Ruth Ayodele, won three medals in the women’s 64kg category at the 2023 IWF Championship, which ended in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
Ayodele got two silvers and one bronze medal, lifting 100kg in the Snatch event, 122kg in the Clean and Jerk as well as 222kg in the Total.
The 23-year-old Ayodele made her debut at the Championship.
Mosquera Llamosa of Colombia won three gold by lifting 101kg in the Snatch event, 122kg in the Clean and Jerk as well as 223kg in the Total, while Korea’s Minkyung Park got one silver and two bronze medals in the women’s 64kg.
In the women’s 59kg, Nigeria’s Rafiatu Lawal finished in six position, lifting 100kg in the Snatch event, 125kg in the Clean and Jerk as well as 225kg in the Total.
Another Nigerian weightlifter, Adijat Olarinoye, placed 15th position with a lift of 95kg in the Snatch event, 120kg in the Clean and Jerk as well as 215kg in the Total.
The women’s 64 kg category will go down as one of the strangest in the sport’s history.
Two Colombians, who are not just from the same city, but also from the same weightlifting club, went head-to-head before one of them won the world title.
Speaking on Ayodele’s performance in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria’s head coach, Ojadi Aduche, said: “She was in the team some years ago, but took a break from the sport due to some challenges. I recalled her to the team recently because she is very strong.
“This outing in Saudi Arabia is the second impressive performance by Nigerian weightlifters within one week.
“Our lifter, Rafiatu Lawal had a big jump in the rankings at 59kg, and we are also expecting more to come from Joy Eze in the 71kg. I am happy with their performances,” he stated.
