17-year-old Asaolu Oyinkansola, a student from Fakunle High School, Osogbo, has made an impressive debut at the ongoing Engr. Habu Gumel National Open Weightlifting Championship in Abuja. The three-day event, named after the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, commenced on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, and Oyinkansola has already made her mark in the competition.
Competing in the female 55kg category of Snatch, Clean, and Jerk, Oyinkansola secured a remarkable haul of one silver and two bronze medals, impressing both her coaches and spectators. Despite being one of the youngest athletes in the competition and making her first senior appearance, she went toe-to-toe with over 10 other states in her category.
Oyinkansola’s strong performances earned her the silver medal in the Clean, while she bagged bronze in both the Snatch and and Jerk categories. The gold medal in her category was claimed by the representative from Akwa Ibom, while the bronze was secured by the competitor from the Federal Capital Territory.
The championship, which is open to athletes from all 36 states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, will run until Tuesday, December 3, 2024, with medal presentations scheduled for the final day.
Other athletes representing Osun State in various categories at the championship include Islamia Yusuf, Ahmed Adelabu, Opeyemi Odunayo, Emmanuel Edim, Eze Philip, Rilwan Adekunle (Portugal), Taofeek, and Ogunowo Sodiq in the Heavyweight category.
The Osun State team is being led by Coaches Awobiyi and Rufus Adeyemi, who, in a recent telephone interview, expressed confidence in their athletes’ ability to bring home more medals. “Our athletes are prepared to make Osun State proud and we are hopeful for more successes as the competition progresses,” said Coach Awobiyi.
With Oyinkansola’s remarkable achievements already making waves, Osun State looks set for more podium finishes as the championship continues.
