Islamic Games 2025: Matthew Lifts Nigeria To 5th As Weightlifting Event Ends

Nigerian weightlifter Sarah Matthew won one gold and two silver medals in the women’s 77kg category, as the weightlifting event at the ongoing Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh concluded in style for Team Nigeria.

Matthew’s achievements moved Nigeria to fifth in the medal table following the end of the weightlifting competition on day eight of the event.

She lifted 116kg in the snatch to secure gold and recorded 129kg in the clean and jerk to earn silver, finishing with a total lift of 245kg—just behind Egypt’s Sara Ahmed, who claimed double gold with a total lift of 260kg.

Matthew’s impressive performance boosted Nigeria’s overall medal tally to 14, comprising six gold, five silver, and three bronze medals. Thirteen of these medals were won in weightlifting, while one came from boxing.

In weightlifting, Rafiatu Lawal, Islamiyat Yusuf, and Edidiong Umoafia were among Nigeria’s standout contributors.

Lawal secured three gold medals in the women’s 58kg category, while Umoafia earned one gold, one silver, and one bronze in the men’s 71kg division.

Joy Ayodele added a silver and two bronze medals in the women’s 63kg category, and Yusuf secured a gold medal in the women’s 69kg snatch event.

In boxing, Zainab Adeshina captured silver in the women’s 57kg division, wrapping up Nigeria’s campaign in the sport.

Attention now shifts to athletics, wrestling, taekwondo, para athletics, and para powerlifting.

The taekwondo event will commence on Saturday, featuring world championship medallist Elizabeth Anyanacho, while athletics begins on 17 November and wrestling on 18 November.

Team Turkey continues to lead the medal table with 68 medals (43 gold, 14 silver, 11 bronze), followed by Egypt, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. Nigeria sits fifth as the Games enter their final stages.