The National Sports Commission (NSC) has extended its congratulations to Nigerian weightlifting sensation Rafiatu Folashade Lawal for her historic performance at the 2025 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Forde, Norway.
Lawal made history as the first Nigerian to win three silver medals at the World Championships, competing in the women’s 58kg category. She 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 won the gold medal with a world record total of 236kg, while Olympic champion Kuo Hsing-chun of Chinese Taipei won the bronze medal with 224kg. Lawal’s achievement builds on her remarkable record of success, including gold medals at the 2019 African Games in Rabat and the 2023 African Games in Accra.
NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko praised Lawal’s performance, saying it’s a proud moment for Nigeria and a shining example of what dedication, resilience, and hard work can achieve. The NSC also commended the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation for their tireless efforts in nurturing and supporting athletes to achieve global recognition.
