Weightlifter Winifred Ntumi has secured the nation’s first gold medal at the ongoing 2023 African Games in a triumphant moment for Ghana.
Ntumi’s outstanding performance has now earned her three medals, including two silver and the coveted gold, marking a historic achievement for the host country.
Ntumi’s journey to glory began with a silver medal in the Women’s 49 kg snatch setting the stage for more medals for Ghana at the African Games.
Ghana’s quest for medals faced several challenges in various disciplines, with the swimming team narrowly missing out on a podium finish despite securing two finals on Saturday.
However, Winifred Ntumi’s remarkable feat has shifted the narrative, bringing pride and joy to the nation.
The current medal table is led by Egypt with a dominating 18 total medals, consisting of 12 gold, three silver, and three bronze.
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As Ghana aims to climb up the rankings with victories in subsequent disciplines, the host nation is optimistic about surpassing its 2019 performance, where they secured two gold medals, two silver medals, and nine bronze medals, finishing in 15th place.
Winifred Ntumi’s success in the 2023 African Games builds on her achievements from the previous edition in 2019, where she won Ghana’s first three medals.
In the same year, she also clinched bronze in the women’s 49kg at the African Championships in Cairo and another bronze at the 2021 Commonwealth Weightlifting in Tashkent.
With the momentum from Ntumi’s historic win, Ghana is poised to make a strong statement on the continental stage, leveraging its hosting advantage to surpass previous medal achievements.