Nigeria weightlifter, Ruth Ayodele, grabbed three medals in the women’s 64kg category at the 2023 IWF World Championship, which ended in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
Ruth Ayodele won two silver medals and a bronze medal in the women’s 64kg category at the 2023 IWF World Championship. She lifted 100kg in the snatch, 122kg in the clean and jerk, and 222kg in the total.
Ayodele, who is 23 years old, marked her inaugural appearance at the World Championship. In the same competition, Mosquera Llamosa from Colombia secured three gold medals with impressive lifts of 101kg in the Snatch event, 122kg in the Clean and Jerk, and a total of 223kg. Meanwhile, Minkyung Park of Korea earned one silver and two bronze medals in the women’s 64kg category.
Rafiatu Lawal of Nigeria finished in sixth place in the women’s 59kg category at the 2023 IWF World Championship. She lifted 100kg in the snatch, 125kg in the clean and jerk, and 225kg in the total.
Adijat Olarinoye, another Nigerian weightlifter, secured the 15th position with successful lifts of 95kg in the Snatch event, 120kg in the Clean and Jerk, and a total of 215kg.
The women’s 64kg category at the 2023 IWF World Championship was one of the strongest in the sport’s history. Two Colombian weightlifters, who are both from the same city and the same weightlifting club, went head-to-head for the world title.
Commenting 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.