Nigeria’s weightlifting story was once again illuminated by the brilliance of Liadi Taiwo in Apia, Samoa after her outstanding display delivered three silver medals at the 2026 Oceania Weightlifting Championships.
Competing at a high-profile event held alongside the Universal Weightlifting Cup and the Commonwealth Championships, Liadi showcased her class against a formidable field of over 500 athletes representing more than 70 countries. Her performance reaffirmed Nigeria’s growing stature in global weightlifting and highlighted her consistency on the international stage.
With impressive lifts, Liadi secured silver in the snatch with 105kg, followed it up with another silver in the clean and jerk at 135kg, and capped her efforts with a total lift of 240kg to complete a remarkable hat-trick of podium finishes in the women’s 77kg category.
Her achievement stands as a testament to discipline, focus, and elite preparation, qualities that have defined her steady rise in the sport. Having previously won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games where she also set a junior Commonwealth record in the clean and jerk Liadi continues to build a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most dependable performers on the international platform.
President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr Ibrahim Abdul, praised Liadi’s achievement, describing it as a reflection of the federation’s commitment to excellence and athlete development.
“This is a proud moment for Nigeria and for our federation,” he said. “Liadi Taiwo has once again demonstrated the strength, focus, and quality that we continue to nurture in our athletes. Her performance is inspiring and shows what is possible when dedication meets the right support system.”
He further emphasized the broader significance of her success: “We are deliberate about creating opportunities for our lifters to compete at the highest level, and results like this validate our efforts. Liadi’s medals are not just personal achievements; they are victories for Nigerian sports and a motivation for upcoming athletes.”
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Apeh Melvina Ashinedu, expressed appreciation to key stakeholders whose support made the participation possible.
“On behalf of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, I sincerely appreciate the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Director General, Honourable Bukola Olopade, our President Dr Ibrahim Abdul, and the entire board for their unwavering support,” she said.
She added that Liadi’s performance reflects the strength of collaboration within the system: “This achievement shows what can be accomplished when there is unity of purpose and commitment to athlete success. We are proud of Liadi and confident that this is just one of many great moments ahead.”
The championships, hosted by the Samoa Weightlifting Federation from April 25 to May 1, brought together some of the world’s finest talents, making Liadi’s triple silver feat even more significant.
Her success in Samoa is more than a collection of medals, it is a powerful statement of consistency, determination, and Nigeria’s continued emergence as a force in international weightlifting.
