Lydia Nakidde: Ugandan weightlifter impresses despite missing podium appearence | 13th African Games

Uganda’s female weight-lifter Lydia Nakidde debuted at the 13th African Games in Accra city, Ghana.

Nakidde competed in the 64 Kg category and took part in the snatch as well as clean and jerk competitions at the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) hall, University of Ghana.

She lifted 65 kg, 70 kg and 70 kg during the different attempts for snatch to finish 6th overall during the championship won by Nigerian Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele (90 Kg, 93 Kg and 94 Kg).

“I am humbled to compete at the African Games with the finest weightlifters. My weights have increased and this leaves me with a positive as I plan to train more further and further” Nakidde remarked.

Tunisian Chaima Ramouni won silver in the snatch category with 83 kg, 92 kg, and 95 kg.

Bronze was won by Mauritius Lent Soforah with 76 kg, 77 kg and 80 kg.

Clean and Jerk:

Nakidde returned a far better and energized party for the clean and jerk competition in the 64 kg cluster (women).

She lifted 90 kg, 95 kg and 95 kg in the three attempts to finish 5th overall, an improvement from the snatch position.

Again, Nigeria’s Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele was unstoppable with gold, Tunisian Rahmouni Chaima taking silver and the bronze to Mauritius weightlifter Lent Soforah.

Uganda weight lifting head coach Khassimu Nsubuga envisages a better future for Nakidde and many other Ugandan weightlifters.

“With the right training, feeding and equipment, the future remains bright for many Uganda weightlifters including Nakidde who has competed with the best weightlifters on the continent” Nsubuga noted.

Focus continues for the two remaining weightlifters in the competition; Steven Ojjede and Aisha Namataka.

Ojjede competes on Wednesday, 13th March 2024 whilst Namataka will compete on Thursday, 14th March 2024.

Uganda has fielded athletes in Judo, wrestling, football, cricket, rugby, table tennis, badminton, swimming, handball, boxing athletics and chess.

There are demonstrations in pickleball, scrabble and mixed martial arts.

At the on-going 13th African games, Uganda has so far won gold in badminton (doubles women), silver (weightlifting and badminton) as well as bronze (swimming, weightlifting and badminton).

The swimming bronze was won by Anna Gloria Muzito in the 100m freestyle (ladies).