Rafiatu Lawal sets new Commonwealth Games record, wins Nigeria’s 2nd gold medal

Nigeria has won a second gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham through Rafiatu Lawal.

The gold medalist has also set new Commonwealth Games record in the weightlifting event.

The 25-year-old won the medal in the women’s 59kg weightlifting event on Sunday.

Lawal lifted a total of 206kg to set a Commonwealth record for accumulated lifts.

She also set the Commonwealth record in the snatch category after lifting 90kg for her first lift.

The wieghtlifter also set a Commonwealth record in the clean and jerk category, lifting 110kg, 115kg and 116kg in all her attempts.

Lawal’s gold is Nigeria’s third medal at the games, after Adijat Olarinoye and Umoafia Joseph finished first and third on the podium of their weightlifting categories, respectively.

In boxing, Nigeria’s Adeyinka Benson booked a place in the quarter-final of the 71-75kg boxing category.

He defeated Abubakar Kumasi of Ghana 3-2 in the third round.

The 26-year-old will face Sam Hickey of Scotland on Wednesday at 3:15 pm.

Earlier, Nigeria’s men’s table tennis team also booked a place in the semi-final after a 3-2 defeat of Malaysia in the quarter-final.

The Nigerian contingent came from behind to defeat the Asians after the duo of Bode Abiodun and Olajide Omotayo lost the first game 3-1.