2nd NDG: Team Edo Sweeps Weightlifting Medals Table

Posted : 26 February 2026

Host Team Edo delivered a commanding performance to sweep the weightlifting medals table at the Edo 2026 2nd Niger Delta Games, finishing top in both the male and female categories with an emphatic display of strength and dominance.

Edo amassed an outstanding 17 gold and 7 silver medals to close the three-day championship with a total haul of 24 medals, leaving their closest rivals trailing behind.

In the female division, Edo set the tone early, clinching 10 gold and 2 silver medals, before reinforcing their superiority in the male category with 7 gold and 5 silver medals to seal a comprehensive overall triumph.

The golden run was spearheaded by Esther Adebola (3 gold), Beauty Akpore (3 gold), Peace Osagie (3 gold), ThankGod Sunday (3 gold), Goodnews Jacob (3 gold), Francis Onaifo (1 gold), and Abiola Islamiat (1 gold), all of whom delivered exceptional performances on the platform.

On the final day, Edo’s dominance remained unshaken. ThankGod Sunday dazzled in the men’s category with three gold medals after recording a combined lift of 212kg. Francis Onaifo struck gold in the Male 88kg class, while Peace Osagie swept all three gold medals in the Female 69kg division with a total lift of 182kg.

Behind Edo, Akwa Ibom finished second overall with 5 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze medals. Samuel Sampson contributed three gold medals in the Male 71kg, while Felix Iniobong added two gold medals in the Male 60kg category.

Abia secured third position with 4 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals. Stella Emmanuel led the charge in the Female 58kg, as Joseph Obinna and Vitalis Eze boosted the medal count in the male events.

Obinna Joseph was particularly outstanding on the final day, claiming two gold and one silver medal with a combined lift of 237kg, while Chibuike Chukwu added one silver and two bronze medals in the Male 79kg.

Rivers State placed fourth with 2 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals, inspired largely by Chinasa Chukwu, who delivered two gold and one silver medal in the Female 63kg category with a combined lift of 191kg.

Cross River’s success came through Esther Clement, who clinched two gold and one silver medal in the Female 58kg division.

Bayelsa also made podium appearances on the final day as Joy Godbless (Female 69kg) and Destiny Duru (Male 88kg) secured silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Team Imo concluded the competition with one silver and one bronze medal, both won by Victory Maduabuchi in the Male 65kg category after lifting 84kg in the snatch and recording a total of 188kg.

Reacting to the successful championship, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation President Ibrahim Abdul commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Dunamis Icon for the seamless organisation of the event, describing it as a major boost for grassroots sports development.

Abdul, who was represented at the event by NWF board members Amos Dushu and Steve Olarinoye, praised the standard of competition and reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to nurturing emerging talents discovered at the Games.

The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation further assured that athletes identified during the competition would be integrated into its national development framework, stressing that the Niger Delta Games has strengthened the pathway for discovering and grooming the next generation of national and international champions.

2nd NDG: Team Edo Sweeps Weightlifting Medals Table

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