Weightlifter Olarinoye Wins Nigeria’s First Gold At Commonwealth Games

By Jumoke Adeogun, Abeokuta

Weightlifter, Adijat Adenike Olarinonye, has won the first gold medal for Nigeria at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Before winning the medal, Olarinoye had set two records in 10 minutes, lifting 90kg and 92kg in the Snatch category of women’s 55kg Weightlifting event.

The Nigerian anthem was sang while the country’s flag was displayed shortly after the gold medalist was decorated.

India’s Bindrayani Sorokhaibam came second while England’s Fraer Morrow came third.

Nigeria almost started the games on a shaky note over the absence of kit. The BBC had reported how a British sportswear manufacturer had to answer an SOS call from Nigeria’s Commonwealth Games team.

Gino Ruffinato, manager of the MG Sportswear firm, which is based in a town near Birmingham, said at first thought it was a “wind-up” before launching his 14 staff into action.

“As it progressed I started getting emails with orders on, so at that point I thought, hang on, I think this is serious,” he told the BBC.