Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State chapter, has joined other sports loving people of Oyo State in congratulating three Oyo weightlifters for their outstanding performances at the ongoing 13th African Games in Ghana.
The trio of Rafiatu Lawal, Ruth Ayodele and Mary Osijo contributed seven gold and two silver medals to Nigeria’s medal rush at the African Games.
Rafiatu Lawal won all the three available gold medals in the 59kg class. The 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist won in the snatch 85kg lift, in clean and jerk with 105kg lift and in total with 190kg lift.
Ruth Ayodele also won three gold medals in the 64kg category. She lifted 94kg in snatch, 144kg in clean and jerk and a total of 208kg to claim all the three gold at stake.
Mary Osijo, a bronze medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, lifted 128kg in the Clean & Jerk to win a gold medal while she bagged 103kg in the snatch to finish with a silver medal. She got another silver medal in the total lift with 231kg.
In a congratulatory press statement issued by the Association’s Secretary, Boluwaji Ogunmola, the State SWAN Chairman, Otunba Ayomiku Ajibola hailed the trio of Rafiatu Lawal, Ruth Ayodele and Mary Osijo, for making Oyo state and Nigeria proud.
The Association’s Chairman noted that the success recorded by the three weightlifters in Ghana were not a surprise to those who had been following the rate at which Sports is developing in Oyo State.
“The sterling performance of Rafiatu, Ruth and Mary is not a sudden occurrence but a testimony to the massive development and growth of sports sports under the present administration in the state. The nine medals won by the ladies no doubt add to Nigeria’s growing medal count and also showcases the depth of talents drawn from Oyo State to represent Nigeria at the African Games” Ajibola noted.
“Nigerians at home and abroad, including indigenes of Oyo State are cheering for Rafiatu, Ruth and Mary as well as the entire Nigerian contingent, hoping for more success in the competition” he added.
Ajibola, while attributing the feats of the three female weightlifters to the commitments of Governor Seyi Makinde administration to the development of sports in the state through its massive investments in talent hunt and nurture as well as on facilities, congratulated the State Helmsman and the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports over the splendid performance of Oyo State athletes.
“The impressive display of the talents from the Pacesetter State is a testament to the State’s thriving sporting scene. It also highlights the support system that the Oyo State Sports Council had created for the talents to thrive” Oyo SWAN Chairman concluded.
