Rafiatu Lawal, a Nigerian weightlifter, opened the country’s medal account at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by claiming three gold medals in the women’s 58kg division, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
She successfully lifted 98kg in the snatch and added 122kg in the clean & jerk, reaching a combined total of 220kg to secure the top podium position. Lawal outperformed Uzbekistan’s Niogora Abdullaeva, who took silver, and Egypt’s Noura Essam, who settled for bronze.
At 28, Lawal has continued to demonstrate remarkable consistency on the international stage, following her historic achievement last month at the 2025 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships in Forde, Norway, where she became the first Nigerian to win three silver medals in the women’s 58kg category.
Her decorated career also includes gold medals at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and the 2023 African Games in Accra. She placed fifth at the Paris Olympic Games last year, narrowly missing the podium.
The sixth Islamic Solidarity Games, scheduled for November 7–21, are hosting over 3,000 athletes from 57 countries. The event highlights unity, cultural diversity, and sporting excellence across the Islamic world, featuring 23 sports across Riyadh’s top venues.
Nigeria’s contingent includes 46 members, comprising 35 athletes and 11 officials. They are competing in seven sports: athletics, para-athletics, para powerlifting, weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, and taekwondo.
