Nigeria’s Joy Ogbonne Eze aims to shine at Paris 2024 Olympics
Nigeria’s weightlifter Joy Ogbonne Eze, who will compete in the women’s 71kg category, has expressed her ambition to make a significant impact in her Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games.
Eze, who clinched three gold medals at the 2023 African Games in Ghana, shared her excitement and determination after securing her place for the Olympics. “I was short of words when I got the information that I have picked a ticket to the Olympic Games. It will be my debut at the Olympics and I want to make the most of it,” Eze told NWFL Media.
The 20-year-old has been intensively training in preparation for the Games. “I have been putting so much work and efforts at training sessions and I hope to continue with that until the start of the Olympics,” she added.
Eze praised the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation (NWF) for their support, including the opportunity for a close camping exercise in Germany. “I am grateful to the hard-working NWF President, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, and his board members for their efforts in opening camp for us immediately after we qualified. This preparation will help me perform at my best at the Olympics,” Eze said.
Eze, who has previously won gold medals at the 2019 and 2023 African Games and at the 2021 African Weightlifting Championships, is determined to follow in the footsteps of Nigerian weightlifting legends Ruth Ogbeifo and Mariam Usman, who won silver and bronze medals at the Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008 Olympics respectively. “I promise to give my best as I strive to represent my fatherland,” Eze vowed.
