Two Nigerian weightlifters, Olarinoye Adijat and Lawal Rafiatu, will compete in Tunisia as Nigeria gets its bid to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in the event underway.

The pair will compete in the women’s 59 kg division, while Two more Nigerian lifters; Edidiong Umofia (73 kg) and Joy Eze (71 kg), will be present on stage on Tuesday.

Akano Desmond (89 kg men), Nigeria’s fifth competitor, will complete their participation in the competition on May 17.

The Athletes expressed hope and promised Nigerians a successful performance.

Speaking to the media, Olarinoye Adijat and Edidiong Umofia stated that the Lifters are not under any time constraints and that their goal is to start the Olympic Games qualifiers strong.

“It is one of the championships we need to participate in to get our Olympic Games qualification ticket. We have done our best in camp, the president and his board supported us and we hope to begin high,” Olarinoye said.

Olaoye also expressed readiness for the competition tomorrow:

“We are not under pressure. We are in competition spirit and we hope to start high as we begin the Olympic Games qualification journey.

“No competition or championship is an easy one. You have to be on top of your game. Prepare well and ask for God’s grace.

“All the athletes are ready to compete,” he stated.

Nigerian weightlifters will compete in six competitions in an effort to put their country back on the weightlifting map in time for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

The May 19 deadline has been set for the 2023 Africa Weightlifting Championship, which began on May 14.