Nigeria Faces Deadline to Secure All-African Powerlifting Championship Hosting Rights
Lagos, Nigeria – Powerlifter Kennedy Nwamkpa has issued a plea for government assistance, emphasizing the urgency of securing Nigeria’s hosting rights for the highly anticipated All-African Powerlifting Championship. The event, slated for November, is in jeopardy due to a lack of demonstrated readiness, according to Nwamkpa.
Speaking to reporters, Nwamkpa expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to showcase Nigerian athletes and promote tourism through sports. The recent returnee from the World Powerlifting Championships in Giza, Egypt, revealed that the continental governing body had awarded Nigeria the event, partially in recognition of his accomplishments in the sport. The championship is expected to draw athletes from over 30 African nations.
“My vision is to unite the entire African continent,” Nwamkpa stated. “I am thrilled and deeply grateful that we have achieved this for Nigeria. However, the window of opportunity is closing.” He warned, “Within the next few months, if we fail to provide assurance, the championship will be relocated to Egypt.”
At the 2025 World Powerlifting Championships, Nwamkpa excelled, securing multiple accolades in his weight class and in open categories, consistently outperforming competitors. His performance earned him the title of best deadlift lifter at both the AWPC and WPC world championships.
“The Egyptian powerlifting community of over 20,000 lifters were ecstatic to welcome the lion of the world to Egypt,” he recounted. “I pledged to bring no fewer than 50 Nigerian powerlifters with me.” Notably, he highlighted that Nigeria’s impressive ranking of ninth place was achieved solely through his individual efforts in the competition.
Hailing from Imo State, Nwamkpa received five distinct awards representing Nigeria. Over his two-decade career, he has amassed over 40 gold medals and trophies in powerlifting and bodybuilding.
Kennedy Nwamkpa’s Background
Prince Kennedy Nwamkpa, a world-renowned powerlifter from Eziama Obaeri in Nkwerre Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria, is a celebrated figure in the sport.
He held the title of world’s strongest man in the 82.5kg weight class for over 16 years and was crowned the 90kg class champion in 2016.
Nwamkpa has also competed internationally, taking part in the 2009 World Bodybuilding Championship and the Bodybuilding Federation Universal Muscle Classic in Grand Cayman Island, where he earned two trophies in both the Men’s Open Class and the Masters Open Class in the 85kg category.
In the 2010 IFPA Universal Muscle Classics, he secured two silver medals in both the Men’s and Masters Classics.
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