Nigeria’s Roland Ezuruike has delivered Team Nigeria’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning silver in the men’s Lightweight Group A Para Powerlifting event after an impressive performance.
The veteran para powerlifter demonstrated his experience and strength throughout the competition, successfully completing his opening lifts to remain in contention for the gold medal.
Ezuruike came agonisingly close to topping the podium but was denied gold after failing in his final attempt to lift 190kg, a weight that would have earned him a new Commonwealth Games record and the championship title.
Despite the unsuccessful final lift, the Nigerian finished with a total of 153.9 points from his two successful attempts, securing the silver medal ahead of the rest of the field.
His podium finish marks Nigeria’s first medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games and provides an early lift for Team Nigeria as the nation’s athletes continue their quest for more medals across various events during the competition.
Ezuruike’s achievement also reinforces Nigeria’s strong reputation in para powerlifting, a sport in which the country has consistently excelled on the international stage, including at the Paralympic Games, World Championships and previous Commonwealth Games.
