Chinasa Ezenwa Wins Team Lagos’ First Gold Of National Youth Games

11-year old Chinasa Ezenwa was full of energy hauling for Team Lagos 2 gold and 1 bronze in the weightlifting event of the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.

Ezenwa, a SS1 student at Command Day Secondary School, Oshodi, Lagos produced such an exceptional feat giving Lagos its first gold and, in few minutes, making it two. The gold medals haul came from her performance in the 45kg clean and jerk event and the bronze medal in the snatch event.

In an interview after the event, Ezenwa said she was not surprised with the gold medals won on Day One of the Youth Games as she had very good preparation coming to Asaba for the competition.

She said that her coaches gave her real training for her to prepare her mind steady for the challenge, hence the easy ride she has displaying excellently in the weightlifting events held on Saturday.

“The secret is that I always put my mind on what I am doing,” said Ezenwa who revealed that she got the inspiration and motivation to go for weightlifting looking unto her role model, Adijat Adenike Olarinoye, the Africa and Commonwealth Games gold medal winner.

“I love the game of weightlifting, that is the reason I do take my training serious, and more importantly is the motivation and encouragement I do get from our dear sister, Adijat who has been as a source of inspiration to many of us in Lagos camp,” she said.

Ezenwa, however, gave kudos and commendation to Lagos State government through the Lagos State Sports Commission for giving her the platform to excise her God-given talent which is now producing result for her.

Her coach, Omogbai Tina was so elated seeing her ward winning the first gold for Team Lagos at the Games.  She assured that more medals are expected from Ezenwa and other weightlifters of Team Lagos as the sport continues on Sunday.

According to Omogbai, Adijat Olarinoye’s contributed positively to the good form and frame of minds of all the lifters representing Lagos State at the Games, adding that she usually comes to the camp to encourage and motivate the athletes which goes a long way to inspire the lifters.