Team Nigeria delivered a commanding performance at the inaugural Central African Zone Powerlifting Championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon, finishing the competition with an outstanding haul of nine gold medals and one silver medal to underline the country’s growing strength in the sport.
During an interview with Sports247, the Head Coach Lucky Jolly Iduseri reveals that the Nigerian contingent excelled across multiple weight categories, with Blessing Ogunbure (75kg), Emmanuel Tuesday (74kg), Joel Agbigbe (83kg), Sandra Ndukwu (84kg), Ojo Samuel (64kg), Erhabor Solomon (69kg), Eunice Olatunji (84kg), Betty Udok (74kg), and Abiola Olajumoke (63kg) all capturing gold medals. The team’s only silver medal came through Odok Answer, who impressed in the 105kg class with a podium finish on his championship debut.
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Further highlighting Nigeria’s dominance, Emmanuel Tuesday, Abiola Olajumoke, Blessing Ogunbure, and Betty Udok were recognised among the competition’s Best Lifters, reflecting the exceptional quality of their performances throughout the event.
National Head Coach Lucky Jolly Iduseri credited the remarkable success to months of meticulous preparation and a disciplined approach to competition. According to him, the team’s achievements were built on structured planning rather than last-minute improvisation.
“The key factors behind our success were discipline, clearly defined roles, and the unwavering support of the President of the Nigeria Powerlifting Association,” Iduseri said. “We prepared our athletes to handle unexpected situations before leaving Nigeria, so when logistical issues arose in Cameroon, they remained focused on their performances.”
Among the standout stories of the championship was the triumph of Sandra Ndukwu, who claimed gold in the women’s 84kg category. Reflecting on her achievement, the Nigerian lifter described the victory as the reward for years of hard work and perseverance.
“It feels very great, especially considering the fact that I worked so hard to get there,” Sandra said after standing atop the podium.
Nigeria’s dominant display in Yaoundé reinforces the nation’s status as one of Africa’s emerging powerlifting powerhouses and demonstrates the effectiveness of its athlete development programme. With multiple champions, individual honours, and valuable international experience gained, the team now looks ahead with confidence to future continental and global competitions, carrying momentum from one of its most successful outings in recent years.
