Rafiatu Lawal Wins Three Silver Medals at IWF World Championships, Setting Historic Record for Nigeria

Nigeria’s Rafiatu Folashade Lawal made history at the 2025 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Forde, Norway, by winning three silver medals in the women’s 58kg category on Sunday.

Lawal’s outstanding performance not only makes her Africa’s first medallist at this year’s championships but also marks the first time a Nigerian athlete has ever claimed three silver medals at the IWF World Championships a new national milestone.

Competing in top form, Lawal lifted 101kg in the snatch, 128kg in the clean and jerk, and recorded a total lift of 229kg to secure silver across all three events. She finished just behind North Korea’s Kim Il-Gyong, who clinched gold with a world record total of 236kg.

Lawal’s achievement adds another chapter to her remarkable career, reinforcing her reputation as one of Nigeria’s most consistent and decorated athletes. She previously won gold medals at the 2019 African Games, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the 2023 African Games.

Nigerian sports authorities have praised Lawal’s historic feat, describing her triple-silver performance as a major source of national pride and inspiration. Her success, they said, serves as a strong motivation for the next generation of athletes as Nigeria looks ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games.