GWF tops all at 42ndMTN SWAG Awards

Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF) was the most successful National Federation at the just ended 42^nd MTN SWAG Awards Night after the grabbing five awards at the event.

Weightlifting, which has become one of the most talked about discipline in the country, was awarded for their impressive performance on and outside the continent last year.

The National Weightlifting – Black Cranes were recognised as the National Team of the Year after a monumental showdown in the IWF Youth World Championship and Commonwealth Youth, Junior and Senior Championship in Penang, Malaysia. The team won two gold medals, a bronze and silver.

Christian Amoah who has now become a household name when it comes to weightlifting in Ghana was awarded as the Male Weightlifter of the Year. He was the Black Crane’s sole athlete at the 2016 Olympic Games and also won gold at the IWF Youth World Championship and Commonwealth Youth, Junior and Senior Championship in Penang, Malaysia.

Up and coming lifter, Richmond Osarfo was also awarded the Discovery of the Year after exhibiting great talents on his international tournament in Penang, Malaysia. He won silver and bronze medals in the IWF Youth World Championship and Commonwealth Youth, Junior and Senior Championship.

It would be recalled that Richmond was discovered at the 2016 Indomie Championships and his achievement was an icing to the GWF’s four year development plan which sought to produce an Africa and Commonwealth Champion.

Iron lady, Ruth Baffoe received the Female Weightlifter of the Year award after winning three bronze medals at the Africa Weightlifting Championship held in Cameroon. Her award has tremendously encouraged young females athletes to participate in weightlifting.

The Federation’s President who now heads the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah was crowned the Association Chairman of the Year for his selfless and dedicated leadership which resulted in the successes chalked by GWF in the year under review.

“We are going to soar higher in 2017 by using our achievements in 2016 as a stepping stone and continue to promote and develop the sport across the country.

“We thank our partners for keeping fate in us as we continue to give hope to the many young Ghanaians talented in the sport of Weightlifting,” a statement from the GWF Secretariat noted.

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