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| GOLDEN LIFT…….David Adeyemo of Bayelsa State lifts 146kg in the Clean and Jerk to claim the gold medal. Photo: Henry Unini |
The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation is at the moment grappling with the allegation that a Cameroon national, John Baptis, competed for Anambra State in the weightlifting event (77 kg category) of the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival. Sports Vanguard checks at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gym, venue of the weightlifting event, confirmed that the weightlifter achieved the best lift in the snatch event. With a body weight of 74.75kg, the lifter achieved the best snatch with a weight of 132 kg.
Kaduna State lifter, Majinedum Seldum placed second with 126 kg lift while Rabiu Ibrahim, representing Nasarawa State came a close third also with a lift of 126 kg.
GOLDEN LIFT…….David Adeyemo of Bayelsa State lifts 146kg in the Clean and Jerk to claim the gold medal. Photo: Henry Unini
President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Chimdi Ejiogu confirmed that the federation was aware of the presence of a foreigner but would not speak further as the technical committee was yet to sit on the matter. “We (officials) raised the issue but I can’t say much until a decision is reached on the matter,” the NWF boss said.
Meanwhile, Caro Okouokha of Rivers state won three gold medals in the 63 kg category in the snatch, clean and jerk events yesterday. She won the snatch event with a lift of 96 kg, followed with a lift of 118kg in the clean and jerk event to place first with a total of 214kg. She was seconded by Victoria Adesanmi of Akwa 212 kg, also bagged three silver medals in the same events, while Joy Chima of Lagos 203 placed third.
In the men’s 69Kg category, David Adeyemo representing Bayelsa placed first with a total of 265 kg. He was followed by Jubril Abubakar of Delta State(264), while Yohunna Jack of Plateau placed third with a total of 253 kg.