Rafiat Lawal just defended her Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow. She proved she is one of Nigeria’s best athletes on the world stage.
Lawal not only kept her title but also set a new Commonwealth Games record. This shows Nigeria is becoming a strong force in weightlifting.
In this chat in Glasgow, Lawal talks about the exciting atmosphere in the arena, the tough training that got her here, the support from her teammates and fans, her hopes for the Olympics, and how the National Sports Commission's help has boosted Nigeria’s recent success in the sport.
PT: Congratulations on winning the Commonwealth Games title again.
Lawal: Thank you.
PT: How does it feel to defend your Commonwealth Games title?
Lawal: I feel good.
PT: The crowd was cheering for you yesterday. How did that motivate you?
Lawal: A big crowd really motivates me. It really does.
PT: Can you tell us about your preparation for these Commonwealth Games?
Lawal: I started training at home before moving to the National Sports Commission camp and then to the Aberdeen camp. It was tough training, but it turned out well.
PT: When you attempted your first lift, did you ever think you might not make it?
Lawal: It’s a competition, so you can’t tell how it will go. At first, I was scared, but later I adjusted.
PT: Your teammates cheered you on, saying, “My baby, I trust you. You can do it.” How important is that support for you?
Lawal: In sports, we need people to cheer us on and make the atmosphere lively. I love the way people shout because it lifts my spirit.
PT: You had a celebration after your lifts that reminded people of Cristiano Ronaldo. Are you a fan of Ronaldo?
Lawal: I was just practicing it myself. I didn’t know someone else was doing it. People asked me if I was a Ronaldo fan. It makes me happy that people compare me to someone great in another sport.
PT: After this win, how much confidence do you have for the Olympics?
Lawal: Hard work pays off. The more you push, the closer you get to your goals. I will keep pushing towards the Olympics.
PT: Does winning here change your Olympic plans?
Lawal: My category is not in the Olympics, so I have to switch to another weight class. I’m still figuring that out, but I know I need to change.
PT: Coming into this competition, was your goal just to win gold or break the record too?
Lawal: Everyone has their goals before a competition. I aimed to win gold, but I also wanted to go for everything. I told people I wanted to put everything together, so breaking the record was part of my goal.
PT: Did you feel any pressure during the competition?
Lawal: In the snatch, I didn’t feel much pressure. By the time I came out for my first lift, I had already secured the gold. My second lift was about breaking the record, so there wasn’t much pressure.
But in the clean and jerk, there was pressure. I wanted to start with 120kg, but when they announced a different weight, I asked them to lower it because I wanted to secure the gold first.
PT: Since Birmingham 2022, Nigerian weightlifters have done well, including at the African Championships and now here. What has changed?
Lawal: The encouragement from the National Sports Commission has made a difference. They have supported all the athletes, and I give them credit for that.
PT: Is it about financial support?
Lawal: It’s about money and the passion the athletes have for the sport.
PT: What role has the federation played?
Lawal: The federation is also doing its part. They are trying their best.
PT: Thank you very much, and congratulations again.
Lawal: Thank you.
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