I earned $7,000 from winning three medals from African Games – Ghana’s weightlifter

Ghanaian weightlifter Winnifred Ntumi has disclosed that she pocketed $7,000 from her impressive performance at the recently concluded 13th African Games.

The 21-year-old secured three medals for Ghana in the 49-kilogramme Snatch and Clean and Jerk categories, clinching two silver medals and a gold in the overall 49kg category at the GCB Hall of the University of Ghana.

In the Snatch category, Ntumi’s notable lift of 63 secured her the second spot behind Mauritius’ Sheridane Pasnin, who lifted 64 to claim gold, while Madagascar’s Ny Hasina Andrimitantsoa Zo Lalainarinirina took the bronze with a lift of 60.

During an interview on TV3, Ntumi expressed her gratitude for the support she received from TEAM GHANA, including backing from the Ghana Olympic Committee, which aids her participation in various tournaments.

Despite her successes, Ntumi emphasized that the earnings from her medals were insufficient, indicating the need for greater financial support for athletes like herself.

Well, I have the support from my family, Let me say my mom and dad.

I only get money when I go for games forlike this.

But if it’s not games and it is championship, there is no money in it

For instance, when you win good medal, you get three thousand dollars.

Three thousand dollar, okay.

If you win silver, it is two thousand.

And if you win bronze, that’s thousand -dollars.

Ntumi’s remarkable accomplishments further enhanced her already impressive resume.

Before her recent feats at the 13th African Games, she had clinched three bronze medals in the women’s 45kg events at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco.

At the tender age of 16 in 2019, she also secured a bronze medal in the women’s 49kg category at the Africa Seniors Weightlifting Championship in Cairo, Egypt.

Adding to her accolades, in December 2021, Ntumi seized bronze in Uzbekistan during the World Championship/Commonwealth qualification in the 49kg category.