By Emmanuel Adeleke
Nigerian weightlifter, Rafiatu Lawal, on Sunday, won the country’s second gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The 25-year-old who won tthe gold medal in the women’s 59kg weightlifting event, lifted a total of 206kg to set a Commonwealth record for accumulated lifts.
Lawal also set the Commonwealth record in the snatch category after lifting 90kg for her first lift.
The weightlifter also set a Commonwealth record in the clean and jerk category, lifting 110kg, 115kg and 116kg in all her attempts.
Lawal’s gold is Nigeria’s third medal at the games, after Adijat Olarinoye and Umoafia Joseph finished first and third in their respective weightlifting categories.
In boxing, Nigeria’s Adeyinka Benson booked a place in the quarter-final of the 71-75kg boxing category.
He defeated Abubakari Quartey of Ghana 3-2 in the third round.
The 26-year-old will face Sam Hickey of Scotland on Wednesday at 3:15pm.
Earlier, Nigeria’s men’s table tennis team also booked a place in the semi-final after a 3-2 win over Malaysia in the quarter-final.
The Nigerian contingent came from behind to defeat the Asians after the duo of Bode Abiodun and Olajide Omotayo lost the first game 3-1.
