TheCable

Team Nigeria continued with its impressive showing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, winning five medals in the powerlifting event on Saturday.

Esther Onyema won gold in the women’s lightweight with a total score of 136.0 points to break the previous lightweight powerlifting world record (women’s – 55kg category). She lifted 120kg, 125kg and 126kg in her first, second and third efforts respectively to claim the top spot. Natalia Blake of England and India’s Sakina Khatun won silver and bronze respectively.

In the heavyweight division, Loveline Obiji also set a new women’s heavyweight powerlifting world record with a best lift of 144.0kg in her third attempt to amass a total of 122.4 points to claim gold. Team-mate Bose Omolayo won silver after lifting 127.0kg in her second attempt to score 113.4 points. Kenya’s Joyce Wambui Njuguna won bronze.

In men’s lightweight, Paul Kehinde and compatriot Rolland Ezuruike dominated the event, the former picked up gold with a total score of 221.0 while Ezuruike claimed silver with 220.2 score. England’s Ali Jawad won bronze with a score of 209.4.

Nigeria has now won 32 medals, comprising 10 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze medals; and are ranked 8th on the medals’ table.