Nigeria opened its medal account at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday as para-powerlifter Roland Ezuruike claimed a silver medal in the men’s Lightweight Group A event.
Ezuruike accumulated a total of 153.9 points after two successful lifts but narrowly missed out on the gold medal to England’s Mark Swan. Although both athletes finished with the same points, Swan was awarded gold after lifting 222kg in his second attempt, compared to Ezuruike’s 185kg.
The silver medal adds to Ezuruike’s impressive Commonwealth Games record. He previously won silver in the men’s 72kg event at the 2014 Games before going one better by claiming gold in the men’s lightweight powerlifting competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Ezuruike’s podium finish ensured Nigeria made an immediate impact at the Games, providing the country’s first medal of the competition.
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Elsewhere, Team Nigeria enjoyed a winning start in the men’s 3×3 basketball event, defeating the Cayman Islands 21-17 in their opening fixture to boost hopes of a deep run in the tournament.
There was, however, disappointment in the boxing competition as Ayomide Foly Hassan exited in the Round of 32 after losing to Refiloe Thai. Hassan was edged out in what proved to be a closely contested bout.
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