Sarah Matthew’s Triple Medal Win Lifts Nigeria’s Tally to 14 at Islamic Games

Nigeria’s medal count at the ongoing Islamic Games in Riyadh has risen to 14, following another strong showing in weightlifting on Tuesday.

Sarah Matthew delivered the latest triumph, securing one gold and two silver medals in the women’s 77kg category. She won gold in the snatch with a lift of 116kg, added silver in the clean and jerk event after lifting 129kg, and earned another silver for her total of 245kg — finishing behind Egypt’s Sara Ahmed, who dominated with a combined lift of 260kg to claim double gold.

Matthew’s performance boosted Nigeria’s total medal haul to 14 after eight days of competition — six gold, five silver, and three bronze medals — placing the country fifth overall. Impressively, 13 of these medals have come from weightlifting and one from boxing.

Nigeria’s gold medals in weightlifting were shared among Sarah Matthew, Rafiatu Lawal, Islamiyat Yusuf, and Edidiong Umoafia. Lawal swept all three gold medals in the women’s 58kg class, while Umoafia took home a gold, a silver, and a bronze in the men’s 71kg category. Ayodele contributed a silver and two bronze medals in the women’s 63kg event, and Yusuf added a gold in the women’s 69kg snatch.

In boxing, Zainab Adeshina earned Nigeria’s sole medal — a silver — in the women’s 57kg division on Monday.

With weightlifting and boxing events concluded, Nigeria now turns focus to athletics, wrestling, taekwondo, para athletics, and para powerlifting.

Taekwondo begins on Saturday, featuring world championship medallist and Africa’s top-ranked fighter, Elizabeth Anyanacho, as Nigeria’s only representative and a strong contender for a medal.

Athletics and para athletics will commence on November 17, with a 16-member Nigerian contingent set to depart for Riyadh on November 13. Wrestling begins the following day, with Esther Kolawole, Christianah Ogunsanya, Damola Ojo, and Miesinnei Genesis representing the nation.

The Games will wrap up with para powerlifting on November 21, where Nigerian Paralympians Roland Ezeruike, Alice Owolabi-Oluwafemiayo, and Onyinyechi Mark are expected to compete. The quartet is currently fine-tuning preparations at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Nigeria will be aiming to build on its strong early performance and further expand its 14-medal haul as the Islamic Games approach the final stretch.