Adebukola strikes Gold, Adeleke wins Bronze as Nigeria continues to impress at Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports by Olusola Adebayo

 

Nigeria’s performance at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, India is most enviably as the nation continues it's impressive medal haul with Islamiyat Adebukola Yusuf claiming gold and Adedapo Adeleke settling for bronze in their respective categories.

Adebukola dominated the women’s 69kg event, lifting a combined total of 236kg (105kg snatch + 131kg clean and jerk) to secure Nigeria’s second gold medal of the competition and consequently booked her place in the 2026 Commonwealth Weightlifting Event.

New Zealand’s Olivia Selemaia followed with 223kg (100kg + 123kg) to take silver.

In the men’s 79kg category, Adeleke battled hard but had to settle for bronze after registering 306kg (141kg + 165kg).

India’s Ajaya Babu Valluri thrilled the home crowd with a gold-winning performance of 335kg (152kg + 183kg), edging past Malaysia’s Muhammad Erry, who lifted 333kg (150kg + 183kg) for silver.

Babu’s gold not only extended India’s dominance in the championships but also earned him qualification for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with winners in each senior category receiving automatic berths.

Earlier in the day, India’s Harjinder Kaur added to the host nation’s tally by clinching bronze in the women’s 69kg category with 222kg (99kg + 123kg), behind Adebukola’s gold-medal effort.

Nigeria’s campaign in Ahmedabad has been marked by consistent podium finishes.

On Wednesday, African Games champion Joseph Edidiong Umoafia secured silver in the men’s 71kg division with 316kg, narrowly missing gold to India’s Ajith Narayana by just one kilogram. Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele also contributed bronze in the women’s 63kg category with a total lift of 212kg.

Their performances added to the early success of Ruth Asuquo, who opened Nigeria’s medal account with silver on Monday, and Omolola Onome, who delivered the nation’s first gold on Tuesday.

So far, Nigeria has amassed six medals, two gold, two silver, and two bronze at the ongoing championships, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a rising force in Commonwealth weightlifting.

The 30th edition of the championships features over 300 lifters from 31 nations, with several Nigerian athletes still set to compete as the battle for Glasgow 2026 qualification intensifies.