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By Akanimo Kufre
Destiny Bassey, Emmanuel Umoren and Goodness Okon have given Team Akwa Ibom a sense of pride with their medal hauling on the first, second and third day of the 9th National Youth Games, NYG, in Asaba, Delta State.
Weightlifting legends like Lawrence Iquaibom, African Champion Edidiong Umoafia, and the entire state would be proud and encouraged to invest more into weightlifting facilities.
After Destiny Bassey’s 2 golds and 1 Bronze medal on opening day, Emmanuel Umoren took silver in snatch75kg, clean and jerk 88kg bronze and total 163kg silver.
The 65kg category male weightlifting event gold medalist was Vitalis Nnaji of Abia State, whose total was 171kg.
On Sunday, Goodnews Okon parked all 3 gold in 65kg male event. He lifted 76kg snatch, 86kg clean and jerk plus a total of 162kg.
Coach Margaret Uwah of Akwa Ibom State was very proud of his boys and thanked God for rewarding their handwork.
“I really want to appreciate God Almighty for making the impossible to be possible. As a coach, I’m glad to see my athletes make it to the podium. They have sacrificed for it by coming out for training.”
Coach Uwah is also expectant of a good result on Sunday from Goodness Samuel Okon.
Two days earlier in India, Akwa Ibom State-born African champion Edidiong Umoafia and Ruth Asuquo secured silver medals each out of 8 medals that Nigeria amassed at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025.
