Bayelsa State has once again, shown their rising credentials in weightlifting as the State’s contingent on Tuesday emerged winners of the maiden Engr Habu Gumel National Open Weightlifting Championship held in Abuja.
The three-day competition which began on Sunday December 1 through Tuesday the 3rd, saw Bayelsa bests other 17 states in the country as well as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to emerge winners
The “Glory of All Lands” garnered a total of 30 medals to place first in the overall medals table, while Oyo State came a distance 2nd with 12 medals.
Delta State who dominated the weightlifting events at the 2022 National Sports Festival and the National Youth Games in September this year, came 3rd with 21 medals.
Whereas Bayelsa State won 17 gold, 11 silver and 2 bronze medals to become winner, Oyo State recorded 9 gold and 3 bronze medals claim second position while Delta State haul of 6 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze medals totalling 21 gave them third place.
Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Osun, Rivers, Cross Rivers and Ogun States occupied from 4th to 10th positions accordingly with 15, 6, 21, 19, 3, 3, 4 medals, respectively
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT came 11th with 13 medals, the Nigeria Police Force came 12th with 12 medals. Bauchi took 13th position with 3 medals while Ekiti State occupied the 14th position with 6 medals.
Among the states without medals are Nasarawa, Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara.
No State from the South East region participated at the Championship
The Bayelsa team’s dominance at the championship underscores the state’s commitment to nurturing athletic excellence and serves as a promising stepping stone for the upcoming National Sports Festival.
