Rafiatu Lawal, one of Nigeria’s weightlifting representatives at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is sure of a podium result despite competing against the rest of the world for the first time.

Lawal, the Team Nigeria women’s weightlifter, guaranteed Nigerians that the weightlifters will give their all in their first Olympic debut.

The weightlifter stated that she is excited to join the list of Nigerian Olympians who have won Olympic Games medals in the past, notably weightlifting.

Read Also:Paris 2024 : Nigeria’s D’Tigress defeat Canada to reach first-ever Olympics quarter-finals

Nigeria has only won two weightlifting medals since their participation in the four-year competition in Helsinki, Finland, in 1952.

Lawal, who has conquered Africa and the Commonwealth Games in successive competitions, has secured a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France in the 59kg weight class, while Joy Eze has also qualified in the 71kg weight class after dominating Africa in her weight class.

Lawal lifted a combined total of 227kg, including a 101kg snatch and 126kg in Clean and Jerk, at the 2024 IWF World Championship in Thailand, setting a new African record in the women’s 59kg category and earning a spot in the Olympics.

“I am super excited to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; I have never felt this happy in my life since I started competing. It is also a thing of joy to set another African record en route to the Olympic Games.

“I am delighted to be on the training tour in Germany and this will help me to hit form before the start of the Olympic Games.

“My motivating factor is from my childhood. I have always had it in mind that I want to become one of the most successful sports personalities in Africa when I grow up.

“I am happy the coast is becoming clearer.”

The weightlifting event at the Paris Olympics will begin on Wednesday, August 7.