Onyeka Azike

Onyeka Azike
Onyeka Azike at the XIX Commonwealth Games in 2010
Personal information
NationalityNigerian
Born (1990-06-01) 1 June 1990 (age 34)
Abia State, Nigeria
Weight48 kg (106 lb)
Sport
SportWeightlifting
Event48 kg
Medal record
Representing  Nigeria
Women's weightlifting
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 2006 Melbourne Women's 53 kg
Updated on September 2024

Onyeka Azike (born July 1, 1990) is a Nigerian weightlifter. She competed in the 2006 Commonwealth Games, won a silver medal in the women's 53 kg division at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, and won a gold medal in the 58 kg weightlifting category of the 2007 All Africa Games in Algeria.[1][2][3]

Career

Onyeka Azike first started her weightlifting career at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and won a silver medal in the women's 53 kg division at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.[1][2][3] She then chose to participate in the 2010 World Weightlifting Championships and the Commonwealth Games Women's 48 – 53 kg category, winning a silver medal. When interviewed by a reporter, Azike urged more women to develop their talents in the sport, saying most young girls that are interested in weightlifting nurse the fear that they might not be able to have children. She also stated that a large number of female weightlifters are now mothers and have won laurels for their states and the nation at various national and international competitions.

"Women are really making waves in sports generally but particularly in weightlifting. I advise the young girls out there to come out and showcase their skills and maintain the standard.

"A lot of us have been able to make the country proud at various major games and some of us have had children, even after our participation at the competitions.

"There is no doubt; weightlifting requires lots of training which results to building of muscles, but even at that, it doesn't stop them from having children."[4]

Competitions

African Games 2015

  • Women's 53–58 kg—Clean and jerk 1st
  • Women's 53–58 kg—Snatch 1st
  • Women's 53–58 kg—Total Gold

World Championships 2011

  • Women's 53–58 kg—Clean & Jerk 22
  • Women's 53–58 kg—Snatch 23
  • World Championships Women's 53–58 kg—Total 23

Commonwealth Games 2010

  • Women's 48–53 kg 2
  • Women's 53–58 kg—Silver
  • Women's 53–58 kg—Total Silver

World Championships 2007

  • Women's - 48 kg—Clean & Jerk 25
  • Women's - 48 kg—Snatch 26
  • Women's - 48 kg—Total 26[1][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Onyeka Azike". International Weightlifting Federation. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Nigerian weightlifters sweep 63kg medals". New Telegraph. Nigeria. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  3. ^ a b "XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi". Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Weightlifter Task Women to Develop Talent in Sport". The Guardian. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Onyeka Azike Weightlifting SPF". The Sports. Retrieved 11 October 2014.