Power Lifting: Abia, Imo Set New National Records

Team Abia yesterday  set new national record in Power Lifting at the National Sports Festival, “Garden City Games – 2011 currently taking place in Port Harcourt, while Team Imo did same on Tuesday.

Team Abia’s  Ikechukwu Obichukwu who competed in the 52 class male category broke the National Sports Festival’s record set by Chinedu Oti of Edo State in 2002, with a new record of 173.5kg.

At the power lifting event which held at Township School, female athletes in the women category also put up tremendous performance but did not set new female record, although a powerlifter from Edo State attempted breaking the National record set by Imo State in Kaduna in 2009 but could not.

Coach Luke Ibe, Team Imo Power Lifting/Weight Lifting coach who spoke with reporters yesterday said his athlete, Rowland Ejirike on Tuesday, set a new National record in the 48 class category of Power Lifting.

His words: “Yes, my boy set a new National record in 48 class. Rowland Ejirike set a new National record. The record before was 157 kg, the boy lifted 160kg yesterday (Tuesday) – that’s the new National record,” adding that in weightlifting, he paraded two lifters who have won one gold and four silver medals.

Speaking at the event venue, the Technical Director, Power Lifting Federation of Nigeria, Mr Samuel Ekoma said, “It’s been good, though when we arrived, we were somehow stressed but we are now enjoying Port Harcourt and the games have been moving on smoothly and enjoyable. In fact, I will say that Power Lifting Championship in Port Harcourt is one of the best sports festival’s power lifting games ever so we’re impressed.”

Mr. Ekoma said as the games progresses, they are still expecting new records to be set, noting that 10 gold medals have been won so far in the 10 classes of powerlifting, out of which Team Rivers leads with four gold medals.

“For now, we are looking at Rivers because Rivers (athletes) have been performing very well.

But at the end of the day, we’ll compile the result and look at it but so far Rivers is doing very well. I’m sure, I’ve recorded about four gold medals for Rivers,” he said.