Sport

Amusan Sets New Record, Wins Commonwealth Gold

By Web News 623

Tobiloba Ayomide Amusan has made history as the first Nigerian track and field athlete and the second in history to successfully defend a Commonwealth Games 100m hurdles title.

The 25 year old also set a new 12.30 seconds Games Record on the way to winning the event’s gold.

Amusan, the reigning World champion and world record holder in the event also became the first Nigerian track and field athlete to win gold at two editions of the Games.

With the gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Amusan has now become the only Nigerian athlete in history to complete a grand slam of titles at the continental, Commonwealth and world levels after winning gold at the 22nd African Athletics championships in Mauritius in June and the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA last month.

Amusan’s gold has now brought to 10 the number of gold medals won by Nigeria so far, one short of the 11 won in 1994, 2010 and 2014.

It is also one short of the three gold medals won by the track and field team in 1990,1994 and 2014 with the 4x100m relays and the women’s long jump final coming up later Sunday afternoon and evening respectively.

Oluwakayode Banjo

Sport

CWG: Lawal Wins Nigeria Second Gold in Weightlifting

By Web News 526

Weightlifter Rafiatu Lawal won Team Nigeria’s second gold medal in the women’s 59kg category of the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Sunday.

Lawal clinched gold by lifting a combined total lift of 206kg – 110kg in snatch and 116kg in Clean and Jerk- to win the women’s 59kg weightlifting event and also set a new Commonwealth Games record.

The Nigerian successfully lifted 90 kg in her first attempt, set a Commonwealth Games record, and went right on top of the standings in Snatch.

Though, she failed to lift 94kg in her second attempt and went for 95kg in her third attempt.Meanwhile, England’s Jessica Brown finished second with a combined lift of 197kg while Tali Darsigny from Canada finished third with a combined lift of 196kg.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Sport

Commonwealth Games: Olarinoye Wins Nigeria’s First Gold

By Web News 453

Nigerian weightlifter, Adijat Olarinoye on Saturday night won the country’s first gold medal at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, in the women’s 55kg event, setting a new Games record in the process, on her debut.

It’s also Nigeria’s first medal at the Games, which began on Thursday.

The 23-year-old clinched gold by lifting a combined total lift of 203kg – 92kg in Snatch and 111 in Clean & Jerk – to win the women’s 55kg weightlifting event and also set a new African record.

India’s Bindyarani Sorokhaibam, who also set a new Games record for Clean & Jerk (202kg – 86kg in Snatch and 116kg in Clean & Jerk) won silver, while England’s Fraer Morrow claimed bronze after lifting a total of 198kg – 89kg in Snatch and 109kg in Clean and Jerk.

With the gold, Nigeria is placed ninth on the medals table, which has Australia in first place with 13 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Sport

Commonwealth Games: Team Nigeria Flagbearers Emerge

By Web News 546

The captains and flagbearers of Team Nigeria for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom have emerged.

The Captains are Nnamdi Innocent, one of Nigeria’s leading men powerlifter and Blessing Oborududu, top women wrestler, a Silver medalist at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan and Gold medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The flagbearers at tomorrow’s Opening Ceremony will be Nnamdi Chinecherem Prosper and the veteran women powerlifter who doubles as the world record holder in her category, Oluwafemiayo Folashade.

Prosper, who is 20 years old and the National record holder in Javelin will be hoping to finish on the podium in Birmingham while the Veteran powerlifter Folashade will be seeking another ‘golden’ outing for Nigeria.

The opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games will hold at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, United Kingdom on Thursday from 7.15pm.

Lara Ayoade