Walid Bidani set a new continental record and is in good form approaching the Tokyo 2020 Olympics ©Getty Images

Walid Bidani was one of three record-breakers at the African Weightlifting Championships in Nairobi, which finished this weekend.

The Algerian super-heavyweight, who will be a medal contender at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, snatched 201 kilograms to set a continental record.

Bidani’s team mate Faris Touairi also set an African record with a snatch of 165kg at 89kg, and a third record-breaker of the week was Tojonirina Andriantsitohaina of Madagascar, with a 67kg total of 303kg.

Tunisia topped the overall medals table ahead of Nigeria and Algeria, while on points classification Algeria were the leading men’s team and Nigeria best of the women.

Karem Ben Hnia of Tunisia was rated top individual performer of the week on Robi points, for his 330kg total in the men's 73kg.

The three record-breakers filled the three places behind him in the Robi points table.

After a surprise bomb-out in the clean and jerk by Nouha Landoulsi, one of Tunisia’s medal hopes in Tokyo, the top four individual women’s efforts were all by Nigerians.

None of them is in contention for a place at Tokyo 2020 and their top female lifter, Chika Joy Amalaha, is suspended for doping.

There was a big reward on offer in the men's 96kg, in which Christian Amoah needed a good performance to overtake his team mate Forrester Osei in the Olympic rankings.

Christian Amoah competed at Rio 2016, and is battling with Forrester Osei to represent Ghana in the men's 96kg ©Getty Images
Christian Amoah competed at Rio 2016, and is battling with Forrester Osei to represent Ghana in the men's 96kg ©Getty Images

Amoah made 333kg in finishing second to Ahmed Abuzrida of Libya, who is also a contender for Africa’s continental slot at this weight.

Osei did not risk travelling to Kenya for fears about coronavirus, and the cost.

It will be close between the three when the final rankings are published.

Clementine Meukeugni of Cameroon made 221kg in winning the women’s 87kg to guarantee her Olympic Games place.

Many athletes from Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon and elsewhere complained of poor organisation and inadequate facilities at the Championships.

It was remarkable that the event happened at all given that the Kenya Amateur Weightlifting Association organised it at less than three weeks' notice.

Bidani spent the early part of the week training in a car park, yet he still managed to set a record and he goes to Tokyo as one of Africa's leading hopes.

Qualifying for Tokyo finishes tomorrow, the final day of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Junior World Championships in Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

The deadline for naming teams to the IWF is June 25, and the entry deadline for the Olympic Games is July 5.