Nigeria’s Edidiong Joseph Umoafia has described his record-breaking gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games as the reward for years of sacrifice and dedication, but insists his ultimate ambition is to win an Olympic medal.
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Umoafia delivered a stunning performance in the men’s 71kg weightlifting event, claiming the Commonwealth title while setting a new Games record to further boost Team Nigeria’s impressive medal haul.
Reflecting on his achievement, the Nigerian weightlifter said the victory fulfilled a lifelong dream after years of relentless hard work.
“Winning Commonwealth Games gold and setting a new record is the reward for years of hard work and sacrifice. It’s a dream come true for me,” Umoafia said.
Despite reaching a major career milestone, the champion stressed that his focus has already shifted to the next challenge—earning qualification for the Olympic Games.
“My attention is now on qualifying for the Olympics. I don’t just want to participate; I want to win a medal on the biggest stage in the sport,” he added.
Umoafia also praised the National Sports Commission (NSC) for improving athlete welfare and providing an environment that enabled Team Nigeria to excel at the Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth champion credited the commission’s intensive training camps in Abuja and Ibadan as a major factor behind the team’s impressive performances, noting that the structured preparations helped athletes arrive at the Games in peak condition.
Nigeria has enjoyed a successful weightlifting campaign at the Games, with several athletes winning medals and breaking records, reinforcing the country’s status as one of Africa’s leading nations in the sport.
Having achieved Commonwealth glory, Umoafia is now determined to build on that success by earning a place at the Olympic Games, where he hopes to become the next Nigerian weightlifter to stand on the podium and further cement his place among the country’s elite sporting stars.
