Abia State emerged overall champions of the inaugural Abia State South-East Zonal Open Weightlifting Championship with eight gold, one silver and one bronze medal.
Imo State finished second with three gold and one bronze, followed by Anambra with three silver and one bronze. Ebonyi also recorded three silver and one bronze to place fourth, while Enugu finished fifth with three bronze medals.
In the women’s 49kg category, Anthony Onyenaobi Chidiamara of Imo State won gold with a total lift of 72kg. Friday Mirabel of Ebonyi took silver with 65kg, while Sunday Rejoice of Abia won bronze with 62kg.
Nwokeleme Chikodi of Imo State won the women’s 53kg category with 92kg, while Cynthia Lawrence of Abia finished second with 70kg.
Abia dominated the men’s event. Divine Bernard won the 55kg category with 155kg, ahead of Chimaobi Igwe of Anambra with 140kg and Nwokeleme Chukwuemeka of Imo with 100kg.
In the 60kg category, Vitalis Eze of Abia took gold with 205kg. Divine Chidubem of Ebonyi was second with 150kg, while Chidume Nwabuife of Anambra won bronze with 135kg.
Innocent Onyedikachi of Abia won the 65kg event with 240kg. Chukwuka Morka of Anambra took silver with 180kg, while Bassey Angelo of Enugu claimed bronze with 125kg.
In the 70kg category, Obinna Bright of Abia won gold with 255kg, ahead of Victory Iwuoha of Imo, who lifted 185kg.
In the women’s 57kg event, Emmanuel Stella of Abia won gold with 160kg. Anthony Onyemaobi of Imo took silver with 111kg, while Mabel Onyibe of Ebonyi won bronze with 92kg.
Bernard Obinna of Abia won the men’s 85kg category with 295kg. Sampson Chigozie of Anambra was second with 180kg, while Aguyi Michael of Enugu took bronze with 177kg.
In the men’s 110kg category, Madu Joseph of Abia claimed gold with 261kg. Akosa Ebubechi of Imo also lifted 261kg to take silver, while Saviour Timothy of Ebonyi finished third with 180kg.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director of Sports, Comrade George Obioma, thanked Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, for creating a favourable environment for sports development.
Obioma also commended the South-East Representative of the National Weightlifting Federation, High Chief Luke Ibeh, for his motivational and substantial financial support to young Abia weightlifter Divine Bernard.
He expressed optimism that newly acquired modern equipment by the state government would help the state discover and develop athletes capable of competing at higher levels, providing a stronger foundation for weightlifting in Abia.
In his vote of thanks, the Secretary to the Sports Council, Comrade Jerry Basil Ude, commended the organisers, officials and the South-East representative for contributing to the championship’s success.
Ude pledged continued support to ensure that the young athletes are monitored, guided and encouraged in their careers.
The Head of Department, Combatant Games, Edith Anyawu, expressed optimism about the future of Abia athletes, saying the opportunities being created showed that the sky could only be the starting point for the state’s sporting talents. The Chief Referee and announcer, Rita Azuma, appreciated everyone who contributed to the championship’s success, particularly the Secretary of the Abia State Weightlifting Association, Lady Rosemond Nwaubani, for her role in organising the competition.
