Osun Weightlifter Secures 9 Gold Medals For Nigeria At Continental Championship

By Tajudeen Ahmad

State of Osun young female weightlifter, Islamia Yusuf again wrote her name with golden pen in the book of record as she assisted Nigeria to win 9 nine gold medals in the African weightlifting Championship in Entebbe, Uganda.

Islamia who was one of the few weightlifters selected by the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation after few day training exercise in Abuja surprised the officials by winning 3 out of 9 gold medals which Nigeria won in the continental championship where over 15 countries participated .

With this feat, the 15 year-old secondary school student has become the African champion in this category, a springboard towards representing the continent at the world stage.

Reacting to the performance, head of Osun weightlifting coach Mr Kola Afinni and two weightlifting coaches in the State Messrs Rufus Adeyemi and Odogwu John appreciated the governor, State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for providing all logistics support in making her travelling possible.

“we are grateful for the God sent governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola because of what he is doing for sports to thrive in the state. This success started when the governor promptly released the fund required for the National Youth Games in Ilorin where Osun contingent won many medals.

We also thank the Commissioner for Sports, Special Needs and Social Protection Comrade Biyi Odunlade for his quick response to the request of the sports council whenever the need arises.

We also call on Mr Governor to assist us in the provision of more training materials, particularly Barbell which will assist all upcoming weightlifters in the state to be at par with their colleagues across the world” ,said coach Adeyemi.

Speaking via a telephone call, the new African weightlifting gold medallist, Islamia Yusuf said she was grateful to God, the Governor and his coaches who believed in her ability to excel. She said it was amazing that she won 3 gold medals in her first time of representing the state of Osun in the National Youth Games and another 3 gold medals for Nigeria in Uganda in her first time of representing the country.

“I never thought this would happen now in my life because this is my first year of any major tournament. I promise not to rest on my oars” , chided Islamia.

Officials of the State of Osun sports council are in high spirit to welcome Islamia back to the state as the tournament has ended with Nigeria contingent ranked among the best with 9 gold medals.

It would be recalled that Islamia won 3 gold medals in the just concluded National Youth Games which held at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State last month.