1st August, 2014
Maryam Usman claimed gold for Nigeria in women’s over 75kg weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday with defending champion Ele Opeloge of Samoa taking silver, six months after giving birth.
The 23-year-old Usman registered an overall score of 280 kilogrammes thanks to 125kg in the snatch and 155kg in the clean and jerk.
Opeloge finished in second place with 271kg, whilst New Zealand’s Tracey Lambrechs took the bronze with 237kg.
“I feel really excited about winning. I’ve had my mind on gold ever since the very beginning. I believed I would get it and I did,” said a delighted Usman.
There was disappointment for Opeloge as she lost her Commonwealth title, but silver was still a major achievement coming just six months after the birth of her second child.
“I lost the competition on the last lift, my arms were too relaxed. Mistakes happen but I’m still happy,” she said.
“I had a baby six months ago and my other child had a birthday yesterday, so I’m happy.”
And Lambrechs had a particularly Scottish celebration in mind after claiming her bronze medal by just one kilogram ahead of Australia’s Deborah Acason in fourth.
“It is amazing, it means the world to me. Training has been off and on, and I left everything I had out there on the bar.”
“I will celebrate with my coaches and probably a good quality glass of whisky.”