Nigeria’s weightlifting sensation, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, has made a historic performance at the 2025 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Forde, Norway.
At the weekend, Lawal etched her name into the history books as the first Nigerian to win three silver medals at the World Championships, competing in the fiercely contested women’s 58kg category.
Lawal lifted 101kg in the snatch and 128kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with a total of 229kg to secure her place as No. 2 in the world. North Korea’s Kim Il-Gyong clinched gold with a world record total of 236kg, while Olympic champion Kuo Hsing-chun of Chinese Taipei took bronze with 224kg.
Lawal’s achievement builds on her remarkable record of success, including gold medals at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana, and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
Her achievements in Norway has been described as heartwarming by the chairman of National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko. Dikko stated: “Rafiatu Lawal’s performance in Norway is a proud moment for Nigeria and a shining example of what dedication, resilience, and hard work can achieve.
Her three silver medals on the world stage not only highlight her consistency since the 2019 African Games, but also the hardwork of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation. We won’t stop pushing and supporting our athletes and Federations, as every finish line is the beginning of a new race.”
On his part, Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade said; “We are proud of Rafiatu and the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation for this milestone achievement. She is not only inspiring young girls, but she has lifted the spirit of our nation, flying our flag high at the World Championships. We’d set our eyes on the Olympics and other international competitions with hard work, impossible is nothing. ”
